LINCOLN, NEB. (February 25, 2005)--Bird enthusiasts will now find it much easier to spot birds by first looking online. The Nebraska Partnership for ALL Bird Conservation (NPABC) recently developed a website to help birders pinpoint the state's more than 400 documented species of birds at sites throughout Nebraska, making it one of the top birding spots in North America.

The Nebraska Birding Trail website (www.nebraskabirdingtrails.com) not only supports conservation of Nebraska's birds and bird habitats, but it is anticipated that it will foster future economic development.

"As many communities look for ways to attract new tourism dollars, this website presents a wonderful opportunity for economic development, as well as added income for private landowners," said Tom Tabor, eco-tourism specialist with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's (DED) Travel and Tourism Division. "Bird- watching in the United States has become a huge industry generating an annual economic output of $85 billion, including $32 billion in retail sales. Birding trails draw bird-watchers who spend money on lodging, transportation, restaurants and other travel- related items. More than 18 million birders travel the country, and we hope this website will bring still more birders to our state."

Dave Titterington, chairman of the Nebraska Birding Trails Workgroup, also is enthusiastic about the Nebraska Birding Trail website, and educating Nebraskans about the benefits of birding. " Creating an awareness of the economic values associated with bird-watching will potentially encourage the conservation of bird habitats. When voluntary efforts are made to maintain and enhance bird habitats, it could have a positive effect on the Nebraska tourism industry and wildlife," he said.

The site was developed with the support of the NPABC, DED's Travel and Tourism Division, the Nebraska Ornithology Union, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Wild Bird Habitat Stores. A grant from the Tourism Division helped create the website. Dr. Paul Johnsgard, prominent author, naturalist, and professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was instrumental in the project.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Tom Tabor, Nebraska Travel and Tourism Division,
at 800-228-4307, 402-471-7755, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it