Photo: Eastern Bluebirds, Herbert Fechter/Audubon Photography Awards
Tom Blackburn
How much time do you spend looking at wildlife? How often are you diverted and calmed by watching birds at your feeder, entertained by the antics of squirrels or awed by a fawn and its mother in your yard or local park? Watching wildlife can be an important antidote to the stresses of everyday life.
Eastern Bluebirds, Herbert Fechter/Audubon Photography Awards
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is committing its resources to encouraging the public to engage in wildlife-related activities. It has released a draft Wildlife Viewing Plan that when finalized will guide its efforts to engage and support people in watching wildlife during the next ten years. The plan is the product of nearly four years of work and the involvement of thousands of individuals and dozens of interest groups. It reflects a significant effort by DWR to change the public’s perception that its efforts are directed primarily at hunting, fishing and boating. The plan’s four key goals also demonstrate DWR’s intention to focus on encouraging diverse populations to enjoy wildlife and to use wildlife-based recreation to connect people to wildlife and habitat conservation activities.
I am fairly certain that everyone who is reading this is already aware of the value of taking time to enjoy nature, and many of you are motivated to take action to conserve and restore natural ecosystems. However, DWR’s survey concluded that only about 1/3 of the public considers themselves to be “wildlife viewers.” Given the undeniable link between wildlife-related activities and a commitment to conservation, engaging the 2/3 of the population that did not express an interest in viewing wildlife is vitally important to our ability to ensure that future generations can enjoy a livable world.
Like DWR, the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia has committed to expanding the scope of its activities to include people who are not typically involved with ASNV. You’ll be seeing more evidence of this effort, which is being led by our recently established Diversity and Inclusion Committee, in the near future.
If you’d like to comment on the draft Wildlife Viewing Plan or commend DWR on its initiative, you can do it here. Comments are being accepted until March 3.