Ian Temby has had problems getting this worthwhile message through...
so here it is:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 16:25:20 +1000
From: Ian Temby <>
To:
Subject: Business cards for birds
Hi birding-ausers
This is not a new idea, but one that has been prompted by a couple of
experiences. While on a Churchill Fellowship tour in Texas in June this
year, I heard about and saw the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trails,
coordinated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Department
of Transportation, in which good birding sites are described on maps
produced for birders. Apparently, many towns and local businesses have
seen the boost to the local economies from an influx of birders, and have
come to value and promote local habitat for birds. The maps themselves are
very attractive, and show many loop drives that take in numbers of birding
sites, identified by signs on roads giving the site codes.
This seems like a win for birds and their environment, for birders, and
for the local businesses.
David Geering alerted me to another example closer to home, that of
Barraba, some 90 km north of Tamworth, northern NSW, where the local shire
has prepared a brochure "Bird Routes of the Barraba District", in which a
network of old drovers' trails, the Travelling Stock Routes, were
identified as Bird Routes. Many local businesses have taken advantage of
the prominence of the Regent Honeyeater in the area, using it on labels or
in business names. There has been an influx of birders, particularly from
overseas, as a result of publicity generated by the Shire. Another win for
birds and business.
My idea is much simpler, but hopefully will also encourage businesses to
value birds and bird habitats. If birders have a stock of business-card
sized cards or paper slips, simply indicating that you are in the area (and
patronising their business while there), because of the local birdlife, I
think this may gradually influence many rural business people to value
their local habitats (as some undoubtedly do already), because they can see
how it benefits their business. Given the number of trips done by
birding=aus subscribers alone, some businesses in good birding areas should
soon realise that there is a substantial number of people involved. The
cards can be left at petrol stations, cafes, hotels, etc.
Below is the text used on my draft "business card", to illustrate my
point. No doubt the wording can be improved, but you will get the idea.
There is space on the card for an image of a bird. I used a Gang Gang on
mine. I tried to include this as an attachment, but it bounced.
Birdwatchers supporting business
I am here because I am a birdwatcher.
Your support for protection
of habitat and birds will help
maintain or increase
birdwatcher visits to this
area, and benefit your business.
I would be interested in others' views.
Cheers
Ian
=======================================
Ian Temby
Wildlife Damage Control Officer
Secretary/Treasurer, BIRDS Australia Parrot Association
Flora & Fauna Program
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
4/250 Victoria Parade
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002
AUSTRALIA
Phone 613 9412 4429
Fax 613 9412 4586
E-mail
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