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Nature-based tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of travel in the United States, with nearly $32 billion dollars spent in retail sales for this activity in 2001. In North Carolina, bird watching is one important component of this nature-based tourism industry, and our state is already a destination for many birders. Birders flock to North Carolina because, in addition to our seasonal residents, many other birds make their way through North Carolina as they follow the east coast flyway during spring and fall migration.

Now, to help take advantage of North Carolina’s unique position in the birding world, a North Carolina Birding Trail (NCBT) initiative has taken flight, and plans are well underway for the coastal component of this statewide driving trail. The steering committee for this initiative is headed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Audubon North Carolina, NC Sea Grant and North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

The NCBT will serve as a map linking existing bird watching sites into a cohesive and marketable unit. The trail will be developed in regional components beginning with the coast and expanding into the piedmont and mountains. When completed, the NCBT will further enhance our state’s opportunities to promote and protect our natural resources, including our Important Bird Areas and the birds they support.

As a driving trail, the NCBT will be more than just lines on a map. It will link great bird watching sites and birders with communities, businesses and other local historical and educational attractions. Birders planning a North Carolina trip will be able to use the trail map to organize their trip logically and efficiently, maximizing their bird-watching opportunities. In what may be a unique approach among birding trails, the NCBT website will provide electronic links to alternative destinations and activities such as local artisans, historic or scenic sites, relevant businesses, and events. With this planning tool, birders traveling with non-birding companions can locate other recreational opportunities to help plan a trip compatible for all participants.

To date, more than 30 states have birding trails that help bring millions of nature-based tourism dollars into their states. The economic value of such tourism, in turn, provides the incentive to protect natural resources, including unique habitats that birds need to thrive.

North Carolina has a wealth of natural habitats secured in our State Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Seashores and State Game Lands. Audubon NC works to protect and conserve habitats that are important to birds and other wildlife, including sites that do not yet enjoy such protections. The NCBT will help build appreciation for the economic and ecologic values these places provide to our state and citizens and, in so doing, help us in our efforts to protect birds for future generations to enjoy and benefit from.

For additional information, visit the North Carolina Birding Trail website.