Virginia Coastal Program: 1999 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY1999 Task 1.02
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Project Title:
Promotional Strategies for the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Project Description as Proposed:
The objective of this proposal is to provide the planning district commissions (PDCs) in the Virginia coastal zone with opportunities and strategies to capitalize on the establishment of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail. The Trail is designed to generate tourism dollars for communities throughout Virginia, beginning in the Coastal Plain. DGIF proposes to develop a resource guide and web site that will provide localities resources and tactics to benefit from nature-based tourism. As a growing number of nature tourists spend their time and money along the Birding Trail, communities will want to invest in the natural resources that are attracting tourism dollars. DGIF staff and a team of Virginia naturalists, tourism staff and chamber of commerce members will visit Texas to get a first hand look at the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. Meetings will be held with key trail constituents such as festival organizers, local chamber members and site owners to gain insight and strategies necessary to create a successful partnership with Virginia localities.
Federal Funding:
$7,200
Project Contact:
Rebecca Wajda, 804.367.8351
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
The resource guide consists of a binder titled "Promotional Strategies for the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail", it includes a 38-page guide titled "Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail Resource Guide" and a folder of promotional materials collected from Texas locations and events for Virginia's communities to use to develop nature-tourism opportunities. The folder has the Virginia Wildlife article by Jerry Uhlman and a handbook, "Providing Positive Wildlife Viewing Experiences", by Deborah Richie Oberbillig. Included is a video, "Birding Festivals: An Economic Force for Conservation."
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The
objective of this project was to provide the planning district commissions
(PDCs) within Virginia's coastal area with information and strategies
for capitalizing on the new Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
(VBWT). The VBWT is designed to introduce citizens and visitors
to Virginia's great wealth of wildlife and enhance their appreciation
and understanding of these resources. In conjunction with that,
however, the VWT is also designed to facilitate development and
enhancement of nature-based tourism opportunities for communities
throughout Virginia. However, a number of these communities do not
currently have ecotourism initiatives or clear direction on how
to take advantage of nature tourism opportunities.
Through this grant, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
(VDGIF) developed a resource guide and web site http://www.dgif.state.va.us/wildlife/birding_trail.html
to provide localities with information and tactics for developing
and promoting wildlife watching opportunities. VDGIF personnel,
along with a team of Virginia naturalists, tourism officials, and
members of local chambers of commerce traveled to Texas to meet
with officials of the Great Texas Coast Birding Trail, McAllen Nature
Festival, World Bird Center, and numerous other nature tourism programs
to gain first-hand experience on how communities there have leveraged
natural resources for economic development. During the 5-day trip,
the Virginia team met with over 100 different individuals and programs.
The resource guide includes many ideas and suggestions, checklists,
sample materials, and other information for communities to use in
the development of nature-tourism opportunities in their areas.
The value and benefit of the "Texas experience" was chronicled
by Jerry Uhlman, writer/reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch
(circulation 195,00), in his May 20, 2000 "Flyways and Byways"
feature, and in a more substantial story he authored ('Virginia's
New Birding and Wildlife Trail") for the December 2000 issue
of Virginia Wildlife magazine (50,000 subscribers).
The final version of the resource guide contains a wealth of information
useful to coastal communities for developing nature tourism. Pertinent
facts and figures from several national and regional surveys have
been included, along with project suggestions. The guide includes
a comprehensive list of Virginia nature festivals, a checklist for
festival planning and a list of opportunities for patnership. Samples
of promotional materials from events and locations in Texas, as
well as a copy of the Virginia Wildlife magazine article, "Birding
Festivals: An Economic Force for Conservation" video, and "Providing
Positive Wildlife Viewing Experiences" handbook by Deborah
Richie Oberbillig complete the guide. These tools, and support from
the Virginia Tourism Corporation, VDGIF, and the Virginia Coastal
Resources Management program, should position the coastal localities
very well to take advantage of the unique marketing platform presented
by the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
