Sponsors (4)
The resolution highlights and seeks to bolster the large economic and conservation value of birdwatching — benefiting workers, local economies, and habitat protection — but could require taxpayer-funded support and risks concentrating visitor pressure and resources on popular sites unless managed carefully.
Workers in tourism, guiding, and hospitality — and small businesses in rural communities — would see increased job support and revenue as birdwatching is recognized and promoted (birding already supports ~1.4 million jobs and large annual spending).
Local governments, nonprofits, and land managers would get more attention on migratory birds, which can help promote conservation and better habitat protection across federal and state lands.
Taxpayers and policymakers would gain documented economic evidence (estimated $107 billion annually) to justify funding, policy actions, or programs supporting migratory species and recreational birding.
Taxpayers could face increased public spending or new grant programs to support promoted conservation and birding events.
Rural communities, visitors, and wildlife could face greater disturbance as increased promotion draws more visitors to sensitive habitats, raising risks to species if visitor impacts are not managed.
Local governments and nonprofits may see resources and attention concentrate on popular birding sites (e.g., well-known hotspots), leaving less-known but ecologically important habitats underfunded.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
States findings recognizing migratory bird population declines and documents birdwatching's large economic impact and role in conservation and local economies.
Introduced April 30, 2025 by Marcia Carolyn Kaptur · Last progress April 30, 2025
Expresses findings about migratory birds, noting that roughly 3.5 billion birds of more than 350 species pass north through the United States each spring and that many populations are declining due to habitat loss, predation, and collisions with human structures and vehicles. It also highlights the large economic footprint of birdwatching in the U.S., citing about 96 million American birders who spend nearly $107 billion a year, support about 1.4 million jobs, and generate federal and state tax revenue. Notes that organized birding events leverage public, nonprofit, and private resources for migratory bird conservation and local economic development, citing an example event in Ohio; the measure states findings and does not create new programs, funding, or regulatory requirements.