| “The key to this project’s success lies in the diversity of our partnership.” | |
| Colette Boehm, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism | |
The U.S. Gulf Coast region is a prime destination for millions of birds that typically spend winters in Latin America and then fly in the spring to the Gulf Coast and sites inland to breed and nurture their young. The growing popularity of an Alabama birding trail that provides spectacular views of this migration demonstrates how local business interests, scientists, and wildlife organizations can partner to promote healthy ecosystems while stimulating the tourism industry.
“The key to this project’s success lies in the diversity of our partnership,” says Colette Boehm, special projects director for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism in Baldwin County, Alabama. “When we started planning the trail more than a decade ago, the tourism industry and conservation and wildlife organizations were not always the best of buddies. Now we’ve strengthened these partnerships and even gone on to work together on a local Civil War trail and a national scenic byway project.”
The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, which opened in 2002, is made up of six large “loops” that wind through areas of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and nearby Dauphin Island. Each loop of the driving trail can take a half day or more to complete. Hummingbirds, tricolored herons, snow geese, eastern kingbirds, and dozens of other species can be seen.
The trail’s diverse partnership includes the tourism agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Alabama Ornithological Society, and Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Many local volunteers also offer their time and expertise.
In addition to birds, the trail attracts large numbers of visitors, which means money in state coffers.
BIG BUSINESS
According to Boehm, the trail is becoming an increasingly important part of the state’s coastal tourism industry, which in 2009 attracted more than four million visitors who spent more than $2 billion dollars.
“Locally, we see more and more interest in bird-watching and viewing of marine mammals,” notes Boehm.
In 2000, the agency’s survey found that slightly under 100,000 people who stayed overnight in Baldwin County participated in wildlife viewing. By 2007, that number had shot up to 400,000. This surge in interest is also reflected nationally. Surveys by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reveal that the number of U.S. wildlife watchers increased five percent from 1996 to 2001 and increased eight percent from 2001 to 2006 (the latest figures available).
FORGING A STRONG PARTNERSHIP
The idea for Alabama’s coastal birding trail was hatched in the late 1990s when a Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism employee attended a seminar on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. A survey showed that annual tourism revenue from bird-watching generated more than the golf tourism sector, and “that got our attention, because we’re also a golf destination,” says Boehm. “Summer fun on the beach is our bread and butter, but as a marketing organization we want people to come all year long. Spring and fall are excellent times for birding, so the trail seemed like a great fit.”
Trail plans could not have gone forward without the advice of many experts. For instance, bird-watching and natural resources information collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proved essential. Alabama Ornithological Society members weighed in on early trail-siting discussions. And the U.S. Department of Transportation played an essential role in supplying road information and assisting with directional signage.
In 2007, the trail’s tourism, science, and natural resource partnerships became even stronger with the establishment of the Nature Tourism Initiative, an in-kind partnership of Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. The initiative promotes sustainable wildlife and fishing practices that help preserve healthy ecosystems and stimulate the local economy.
“As part of this initiative, several programs and activities make use of the birding trail,” says Joanne McDonough, a nature tourism specialist for the Nature Tourism Initiative. “For instance, bird identification is part of our Coastal Nature Guide Certification Program, which is popular with tour operators.” During the certification program, scientists explain how protecting local habitats and wildlife will help support continued clean air and water, safe food, and storm resilience.
SAVING TIME AND EFFORT
After 10 years of trail operation, the partners have learned a few lessons in efficiency. The initial planning and posting of directional signage was an overwhelming task that became easier only when the partners sought the help of the U.S. Department of Transportation. “On a later project, the Civil War trail, we knew to bring transportation to the table at the beginning,” emphasizes Boehm.
Creating and maintaining a trail this large requires regular updates, corrections, and repairs. To that end, updated trail map and signage information will be available online and in print materials sometime this year.
“Now we realize that it’s a whole lot easier to update paper and online materials than it is to redo signage and markers on the actual trail,” says Boehm. “For anybody trying a similar project, try to minimize your trail signage when you can, and put as much information as possible into a format that’s easy to revise.”
BRIGHT FUTURE
“We see tremendous opportunities for growth in the birding trail,” says McDonough. “We have a captive audience through our certification course, which enables us to set a good example for natural resource stewardship. Canoeing and kayaking launch areas are being added to the trail.”
Boehm adds, “Bird-watchers have told us they really appreciate this resource in a place where there are also beaches and nice places to stay and eat. Those things appeal to families, so we expect to have more families visiting the birding trail as part of their vacations.”
For more information on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, contact Joanne McDonough at jmcdonough@gulfshores.com or (251) 974-1510. You can also learn more by visiting www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com or www.gulfshores.com.
