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Response 2.3: <br />Evidence* <br />We estimated attendance numbers based on similar bird vvatching festivals in the <br />state that regularly attract many hundreds of attendees, a survey we conducted in <br />2014, Kittitas County Tourism and Recreation Plan that identifies ½ildlife vie½ing as <br />the third most popular activity and among the highest day-trip expenditure <br />category, and WA State SCORP wth nearly 60% of tourists engaging in wldlife <br />viewng activities. <br />We also based our 2nd year numbers on attendance results from last year -our <br />first year of the event. We have attached our summary attendance sheet to this <br />grant. <br />We further base our estimates on a survey of birders visiting the Yakima River <br />Canyon Scenic Byvvay we conducted in 2014. <br />Because of that survey, we know that birders visiting the Yakima River Canyon <br />Scenic Byvvay are split equally between males and females wth an average age of <br />61 years old and over. The majority of respondents lived in Western Washington <br />(King, Pierce, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties) wth an income between $100,000 <br />and $149,000. <br />Birders that participated in the survey said that they typically travel about 100 <br />miles, but ½ill travel between 100 miles and 500 miles to seek out great birding <br />opportunities that have a wde variety and rare bird species. Several survey <br />respondents take yearly trips out of state or country for birding experiences. When <br />traveling for birding excursions away from home, most stay overnight for <br />approximately 2 nights in a motel/hotel. The majority of birders who took this survey <br />said that they have been to the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byvvay for birding <br />excursions . What they like best about the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byvvay is <br />the variety and number of birds that show up due to the diversity of habitat. <br />We also base our projections on use statistics that we receive from the Bureau of <br />Land Management about their recreation sites in the Yakima River Canyon Scenic <br />Byvvay. Recently released use survey numbers show a steady and significant use <br />pattern in the Canyon that shows nearly 400,000 overnight stays in the Canyon <br />during 6 months (May-Oct) in 2016. <br />2500 character lirrit <br />Application Questions: Part 2 <br />31 Measuring Results <br />What tools ½ill you use to measure your event's impact on tourism? Please be specific and provide examples. Include the <br />followng information: <br />A. Is your project/event year-round or is it seasonal or date-specific? Go to definitions of terms. <br />B. What strategies ½ill you employ to assure you are attracting tourists from at least 50 miles avvay? <br />C. What strategies ½ill you use to assist in marketing all of Kittitas County as a tourist destination v,Ath your <br />event/project funding request?