Participation in wildlife Conservation by birdwatchers

Abstract

Decreasing revenues from traditional sources such as hunting license sales are causing wildlife management agencies to seek methods of raising revenue and generating support for wildlife conservation from nonconsumptive users. A mail survey was used to examine birdwatchers’ participation in wildlife conservation activities. Results show that birders made substantial contributions that increased with higher levels of birding experience. This study suggests that using volunteers, establishing cooperative agreements with private organizations, and recruiting birders in conserving private land for habitat may be acceptable contribution mechanisms for the birding constituency, and that it may be possible to design and market mechanisms for specific subgroups of birders.

Keywords:

• birders
• birdwatchers
• wildlife‐related recreation
• specialization
• wildlife conservation