Wildlife Viewer Survey Report Available Now and Webinar Scheduled September 15!
The Dayer Lab at Virginia Tech and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group released the National and Regional Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing Relevancy and Engaging Support from a Broader Constituency today. This report includes the national and regional results from a survey of more than 4,000 wildlife viewers nationwide, filling an important knowledge gap for agencies. The study illuminates how to better engage this broad constituency of wildlife recreationists, increasing agency relevancy to a wider array of people who enjoy the outdoors.
Download your own copy of the full report now, and share with agency colleagues and external partners. Then join us in September for a webinar sharing the results (see below).
Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of fish and wildlife agencies.
This report examines:
- Viewing and conservation behaviors of wildlife viewers
- Past and likelihood of future financial contributions to state agencies
- Perceptions of state agencies and their management for wildlife viewers
- How to build relevancy with a broader audience of wildlife viewers
- Comparisons of wildlife viewers across the four AFWA regions
- Participation of consumptive and nonconsumptive wildlife viewers
- And more!
Based on insights from the study, the report offers five key recommendations for state agencies to increase engagement and relevancy with wildlife viewers:
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- Respond to demand for agencies to develop programs and services to engage viewers
- Broaden constituency of state agencies through viewing support with underserved groups
- Develop financial support opportunities for viewers to contribute financially to state agencies
- Support state agencies in implementing results
- Conduct additional research to fill wildlife viewing information gaps
Each of these recommendations includes actionable, evidence-based steps for agencies, including seven case studies from state agencies demonstrating successful approaches to putting these recommendations to work.
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To share the valuable information within the national report, the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group and Virginia Tech are offering a free webinar for all interested professionals nationwide.
When: Thursday, September 15, 1:00 - 2:30pm Eastern
Pre-register now for a webinar with the report's authors to learn more about the highlights of the report and how your state agency can apply them.
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Contacts:
Ashley Dayer or Emily Sinkular with the Dayer Lab at Virginia Tech
This project was funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00), which is jointly managed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
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