10 Ways that Birders and Wildlife Watchers will Help Save the Planet

According to the 2006 Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Related-Associated Recreation (FHWAR), over 71.1 million people in the U.S. participated in at least one type of wildlife-watching activity such as observing, feeding, or photographing fish and other wildlife*.

Here are ten ways that these birders and wildlife watchers will contribute to the health of our planet, their bodies and the economic outlook of our country.

1) Wildlife watchers often create environmentally friendly landscapes using less chemicals, less water and more plants which provide food for wildlife.
Impact: cleaner eco-systems and improved wildlife habitat.
*Source: How to Take Care of Your Share of the Planet.

2) Wildlife watchers spend more time outdoors, which helps improve their health.
Impact: healthier minds and bodies and less electricity use at home.
*Source: AARP Bulletin

3) Wildlife watchers get their KIDS outdoors, helping to combat Nature Deficit Disorder, a problem that can lead to problems such as childhood obesity, ADD and depression.
Impact: healthier children
*Source: Last Child in the Woods

4) In 2006, Wildlife watchers spent over $45.7 billion on their hobby. This spending supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in industries and businesses.
Impact: contribution to economic recovery
*Source: National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associate Recreation

5) Getting up close and personal with wildlife helps to develop a sense of wonder and responsibility, encouraging more people to help protect the flora and fauna around them. Impact: protection of species.
*Source: How to Take Care of Your Share of the Planet.

6) Wildlife watching helps to improve your eyesight, hearing and memory.
Impact: better health
*Source: How to Take Care of Your Share of the Planet.

7) Wildlife watchers are responsible pet owners, which is safer for the pets, the local wildlife and helps to cut down on animal euthanasia.
Impact: less animal euthanasia
It is estimated that 3-4 million pets are euthanized by shelters each year. *Source: Humane Society of the United States

8) Wildlife watchers often create landscapes that attract pollinating insects such as birds, butterflies and bees. It is estimated that over three-quarters of the staple crop plant that feed humankind rely on pollination from these beneficial creatures.
Impact: more pollinators = more food crops
*Source: How to Take Care of Your Share of the Planet.

9) Wildlife watchers who report their findings through 'citizen science' programs and other bird counts help researchers to investigate far-reaching questions such as the impacts of West Nile virus, global warming, and acid rain on birds and other species.
Impact: preservation of species
*Source: How to Take Care of Your Share of the Planet.

10) The largest percentage of Wildlife watchers have incomes of over $100,000 and often donate to larger wildlife organizations such as NWF and Audubon which, in turn, spend billions of dollars helping to protect our environment and wildlife.

*The 2006 Survey uses a strict definition of wildlife watching. Participants must either take a “special interest” in wildlife around their homes or take a trip for the “primary purpose” of wildlife watching. Secondary wildlife watching, such as incidentally observing wildlife while pleasure driving, is not included.