Findlay Times

On May 5, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH9) introduced a bipartisan resolution proclaiming May 5 through May 14, 2023, as “National American Birding Week.”

Birding is a pastime that generates billions in economic benefits annually, but migratory bird populations face many threats to their survival. Annual birding events such as the “Biggest Week in American Birding”, sponsored by the Black Swamp Bird Observatory in Oak Harbor, Ohio, leverage government, nonprofit, and private resources to promote conservation of migratory bird populations and economic development through a multifaceted approach that combines research, education, and outreach. Coordinated efforts by Federal, State, and local governments, conservation organizations, and businesses help to promote conservation of migratory birds and economic development through birding.

“There is a reason Northwest Ohio is dubbed the ‘Warbler Capital of the World’; we are fortunate to have the habitat that supports migratory bird populations, like the Warbler, and many other species from across North and South America,” Latta said. “Thanks to the hard work of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, our state is able to host the ‘Biggest Week in American Birding’ drawing in 90,000 people from all walks of life to view and enjoy our migratory bird populations. It’s important we recognize and pass on this rich tradition to future generations – which will help bolster important bird conservation work in Ohio – and it’s why I’m proud to help mark this week as National American Birding Week with the introduction of this resolution.”

“This resolution calls attention to the array of natural and human-caused threats to migratory bird populations, emphasizes the contribution birders make to local economies during the migration seasons, and applauds the cooperation among governments, conservation organizations, and businesses,” Kaptur said. “I am hopeful that my fellow Ohioans will join me in supporting the designation of National American Birding Week as we celebrate an important event that brings avid birders from around the world to our region of Northwest Ohio every year. I encourage birders and people from across our nation to attend events such as the ‘Biggest Week in American Birding’ to learn about bird migration and to support efforts to preserve migratory bird populations.”

Approximately 3,500,000,000 songbirds, raptors, shore birds, and waterfowl representing over 350 species migrate north through the United States to breeding grounds every spring from wintering grounds in the southern United States, Mexico, and the tropics. Populations of many migratory bird species are in decline due to habitat loss, predation, and collisions with buildings, utility infrastructure, and vehicles. An estimated 45,000,000 American birders spend close to $40 billion annually on birdwatching and birding activities creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in employment income and Federal and State tax revenue.

A full copy of the resolution declaring “National American Birding Week” can be found by clicking here.

Original source can be found here.