[mou] Making the Most of Mother Nature - a 'How To' Guide for Wildlife Tourism:

[Cindy Schneider]

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.schneider@=
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
cindy.schneider@state.mn.us
www.exploreminnesota.com