Birdwatching is among the fastest-growing tourism industries based on nature around the globe — and it’s growing with popularity across Alaska. According to the report from 2022 by University of Alaska Fairbanks. University of Alaska Fairbanks.
In 2016, more than 300,000 birdwatchers came to Alaska and paid $378 million to support many jobs. Today, Audubon Alaska is swooping into the boom in bird watching online. Audubon Alaska has teamed up in conjunction with U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to launch an online guide called the Southeast Alaska Birding Trail which is a free online guide for 18 bird-friendly communities throughout the region.
Lauren Cusimano is a spokesperson for Audubon Alaska. She claims that Southeast’s unique biodiversity brought the region to the radar of her organization.
“It’s simply a separate region of the country and also of the globe,” Cusimano said. “It is home to the largest concentration of bald eagles around the world. It’s also the home of the largest National forest within the world. It’s a call for this sort amount of focus.”
Southeast has more than 400 species of birds, a lot of which are declining. Southeast is a world location for migratory birds. It’s also a destination for a specific kind of eco-tourists that migrate, the ones with binoculars.
How does the app function? It allows users to keep an eye on the species they’re tracking. It also tells a little about regional geography as well as the culture of the region. Cusiamo claimed that it could provide information about the trails that lies beneath your boots.
“Things like amenity specifics,” said Cusiamo. “Like do they have restrooms? Are there parking spaces available? What is the accessibility situation? Are there entrance charges?”
Petersburg is an important location along the trail of birding. The app identifies Petersburg as one of the major birding destinations.18 distinct birding spots within a short distance of.
“Mitkof Island is clearly massive, in terms of birding is concerned, especially in The Inside Passage,” said Cusiamo. “So we’re talking Petersburg Creek, Sandy Beach — I think every town in the Southeast has Sandy Beach. Sandy Beach — Little Dry Island…places similar to this.”
Cusimano stated that Audubon Alaska plans to ride the current eco-tourism wave. The goal of the project is to assist industries that depend on healthy ecosystems that are intact and healthy.
“We are hoping to in the development of these local economies by drawing focus to birding possibilities available in the area,” said Cusimano. “This is a means to meet the needs of the economy that are not related to development, timber sales and timber sales.”
With the goal of inspiring environmentally-conscious economic growth, Audubon Alaska’s next step is to flock together with small outdoor recreation businesses to promote the app in Southeast’s heavy tourism stopovers.
