Alaska DF&G Unveils the Alaska Coastal
Wildlife Viewing Trail
|
|
June 9, 2006
Juneau, Alaska - The Alaska Department of Fish
and Game (ADF&G) today unveiled the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing
Trail, enhancing and highlighting wildlife viewing opportunities
along Southeast Alaska’s Marine Highway routes and coastal
communities.
Highway-based wildlife viewing and birding trails combine Americans’
love of wildlife viewing and travel, while easing the complications
of trip planning. This is Alaska’s first viewing trail, and
America’s first marine-based trail; thirty-two other states have
trail projects completed or underway.
“We are excited to be launching the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing
Trail today. We know that this project will not only increase the
enjoyment and viewing opportunities for those traveling the Inside
Passage, it provides promising economic opportunities for local
communities,” said McKie Campbell, ADF&G Commissioner. “Presenting
opportunities and information about wildlife viewing is an important
part of the department’s mission to provide for a wide range of
public uses and benefits.”
Wildlife viewing trails encourage travelers to stay in communities
longer and return at different times of the year to enjoy seasonal
wildlife spectacles. Wildlife viewing has proven to be a powerful
revenue booster for local economies. Nationally, wildlife viewers
spend $38 billion annually, according to a 2001 U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service survey. That same survey showed wildlife viewing
was responsible for $790 million in spending in Alaska and created
13,000 jobs.
The viewing trail project has been in the works for two years. Karla
Hart, ADF&G Watchable Wildlife Program Coordinator, and Jamie Karnik,
ADF&G Americorps VISTA volunteer, enlisted a league of partners in
Southeast Alaska including local businesses, non-profits, government
agencies and individuals, to develop a series of nine brochures
highlighting community-based wildlife viewing opportunities along
the Inside Passage. These are companions to the just released
Alaska’s Inside Passage Wildlife Viewing Guide, produced by ADF&G
staff in partnership with the US Forest Service, which highlights
wildlife viewing opportunities along marine routes.
More information on the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing Trail is
available online at
www.wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov at local visitor information
centers, and on the Alaska Marine Highway ferries. The Alaska’s
Inside Passage Wildlife Viewing Guide is sold at local bookstores.
Work is underway to extend the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing Trail
along Prince William Sound and Southwest Alaska ferry routes and on
the highway-based Kenai Peninsula Wildlife Viewing Trail.
|
| |
| |
|
|
