• Nature tourism is the fastest growing segment of the travel and tourism industry.**
• There are more wildlife watchers than there are hunters and anglers combined.*
• Researchers have estimated that a rare bird spotted in a particular area can be worth approximately $100,000 to the area in spending by interested birders.**
• There are over 60 million wildlife watchers in the United States.*
• Coming from a high econographic segment of the population, birders have money to spend. The average birder spends $3374/year pursuing his or her hobby.**
• Wildlife watching is the #1 outdoor recreational activity in the United States.**
• Wildlife watching can create jobs in Fallon.**
• Each year 310 million nature-oriented trips are taken in the United States.*
• The number of bird watchers has grown dramatically. Between 1982 and 1995 participation increased over 155.2%. ***

*Source: USFWS "1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation"

**Source: McAllen Texas Chamber of Commerce

***Source: University of Georgia Survey Research Center, 1995