A 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated = Recreation conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service further revealed = that nearly 2.2 million Minnesota residents and nonresidents participated = in wildlife viewing activities. These individuals spent an average of $246 = per person. How can your community get a share of this booming market? = =20
Explore Minnesota Tourism, in partnership with the University of Minnesota = Tourism Center and the Department of Natural Resources, is offering = workshops to help you. Workshop topics include: =B7 Wildlife tourism trends in Minnesota=20 =B7 How to assess the wildlife "watchability" in your community =B7 Case studies of successful wildlife tourism programs - in = Minnesota and beyond =B7 How to market your community and your wildlife events. =20 Workshops will be held on March 31 at Rasmussen Woods Nature Center in = Mankato and April 7 at Sawmill Inn in Grand Rapids. This workshop = provides hands-on tools in assessment, development and marketing with a = take-home notebook to further build on what you learn. =20 The Department of Natural Resources, Explore Minnesota Tourism, and the = University of Minnesota Tourism Center have collaborated to assemble = industry experts, businesses and organizations that have already found = success. Workshop leaders include Carrol Henderson, Department of Natural = Resources Non-game Wildlife Supervisor, and Pam Perry, Department of = Natural Resources Non-game Wildlife Specialist.=20 Several successful case studies will also be presented, including Lynn = Scharenbroich of Black Pine Beach Resort, who developed a successful = program called "Birds of the Byway" along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. = MaryBeth Garrigan, director of the National Eagle Center, will discuss the = development of the National Eagle Center as an example of a partnership = between the nonprofit organization Eagle Watch, Inc. and the city of = Wabasha. Alice Norman of Medicine Lake Tours will talk about the success = she has had in offering wildlife and birding tours. Come see how developing wildlife tourism can mean more money and increased = tourism opportunities for you. Contact Cindy Schneider at cindy.schnei...@= state.mn.us; 651-297-2333 or 800/657-3637 to receive a brochure, either by = e-mail or regular mail. =20 Cindy Schneider, Industry Relations Unit Explore Minnesota Tourism=20 121 East 7th Place, #100 St. Paul, MN 55101 Phone: 651/297-2333 1-800-657-3637 Fax: 651/296-7095 [email protected] www.exploreminnesota.com
