LT-2019-014-KEEN-Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest

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Response 2.2: We estimated attendance numbers based on similar bird watching festivals in the Evidence* state that regularly attract many hundreds of attendees, a survey we conducted in 2014, Kittitas County Tourism and Recreation Plan that identifies wildlife viewing as the third most popular activity and among the highest day -trip expenditure category, and WA State SCORP with nearly 60% of tourists engaging in wildlife viewing activities. We also based our 3rd year numbers on attendance results from last year - our second year of the event. We further base our estimates on a survey of birders visiting the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway we conducted in 2014. Because of that survey, we knowthat birders visiting the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway are split equally between males and females with an average age of 61 years old and over. The majority of respondents lived in Western Washington (King, Pierce, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties) with an income between $100,000 and $149,000. Birders that participated in the survey said that they typically travel about 100 miles, but will travel between 100 miles and 500 miles to seek out great birding opportunities that have a wide variety and rare bird species. Several survey respondents take yearly trips out of state or country for birding experiences. When traveling for birding excursions away from home, most stay overnight for approximately 2 nights in a motel/hotel. The majority of birders who took this survey said that they have been to the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway for birding excursions. What they like best about the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway is the variety and number of birds that show up due to the diversity of habitat. We also base our projections on use statistics that we receive from the Bureau of Land Management about their recreation sites in the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway. Recently released use survey numbers show a steady and significant use pattern in the Canyon that shows nearly 400,000 overnight stays in the Canyon during 6 months (May -Oct) in 2017. 2500 character lint Response 2.3: 3. or from another country or state outside of their place of residence or business. Projection* With over 1.1 million annual drivers and thousands of birders visiting the Canyon annually, the Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest is sure to be a very well attended event. KEEN anticipates between 500 attendees in our 3rd year. Based on last years attendance, we estimate that 60% of event attendees will be considered tourists (-300 people) and that 30% of them will be from another state or out of Country (-90 people). 2500 character linit