1411 4th Ave. Ste 920 1411 4th Ave. Ste 920
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206-652-2444
Fax: 206-652-0591
wa.audubon.org
News Release
For immediate release
Feb. 22, 2006
Contact: Christi Norman, Birding Trail Director, cnorman@audubon.org or 206-652-2444 x 108
Coming soon: signs and more maps to guide wildlife watchers to the best places for the best bird-watching in the Evergreen State, thanks to a $643,823 Federal Transportation Enhancement grant, administered by the Washington Dept. of Transportation Highways & Local Programs division.
The funding will underwrite the final three of seven maps to complete the Great Washington State Birding Trail, a program to enhance rural economic development and encourage local conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat. In addition, the grant will cover the development and placement of identification signs for sites on the statewide system.
“These federal dollars join state and local investment, promising one of the best birding trail systems in the country,” said Dee Arntz, Audubon Washington board member responsible for introducing the birding-trail idea to Washington. “When I saw a birding trail in Texas six years ago, I knew we had to create one here to showcase our fabulous birds.”
Audubon Washington published: the Cascade Loop in 2002, the Coulee Corridor in 2003, and the Southwest Loop in 2005, with the Olympic Peninsula route scheduled for release at the end of 2006. The new funding will cover development of the trail in the rest of the state, according to Birding Trail Director Christi Norman. The remaining loops are planned for the Spokane area, and along the Columbia River and Puget Sound.
“The key to the Birding Trail is the partnership we have with local people,” said Director Norman. “Expert birders in our chapters volunteer thousands of hours to select the sites, local governments and businesses contribute dollars and enthusiasm, and state agency partners help promote Watchable Wildlife,” she continued.
Each route of the Great Washington State Birding Trail is composed of 50 to 70 individual sites, with information about when – which season – to see birds; what species of birds are found in specific places; directions to sites; site ownership, and visitor services.
For more information and to order maps, go to: http://wa.audubon.org and click on the Great Washington Birding Trail, or call 1-866-WA-BIRDS.