1.) What are the Birding and Wildlife Trails? 2.) How does a site get on the trail? 3.) Who can nominate sites for the trail? 4.) How do I nominate a site? 5.) What happens after a site is nominated? 6.) When will the BWT Guide be available? 7.) How do I get a guide? 8.) How much does each guide cost? 9.) What kind of economic impacts do wildlife watchers have? 10.) How often will the guides be updated? 11.) How are the trails different from the IBBA? 12.) Who do I contact for more information?

1.) What are the Birding and Wildlife Trails?

The Birding and Wildlife Trails will use our existing state, county and local transportation infrastructure travelways (roads, waterways, public transportation) to connect each region’s birding and wildlife-watching sites. The Birding and Wildlife Trails (BWT) Guide will be a collection of 2-3 day local driving loops that connect the sites where people can go to view the area’s wildlife and spend some time outdoors.

The guides will be accompanied by brochures listing local businesses that encourage and recognize the importance of nature-based tourism.  The brochures will highlight eateries, lodging, local arts and crafts, and alternative nature-related outdoor activities, with a goal of increasing nature-based tourism within the area.

The Delaware Bayshore Birding and Wildlife Trails is funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and is a cooperative effort between New Jersey Audubon Society, NJDOT, NJ Department of Environmental Protection and NJ Department of Travel and Tourism. 

The Meadowlands Birding, Wildlife and Fishing Trails is funded by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and is a working partnership between New Jersey Audubon Society, the Meadowlands Commission, and The Hackensack Riverkeeper.

While the initial projects focus on the Delaware Bayshore and the Meadowlands, the goal is to cover the whole state of New Jersey in future guides.

2.) How does a site get on the trail?

Sites included in the Birding and Wildlife Trails Guides will be nominated by the members of the community.  Nomination forms can be obtained on our website, or by calling the Director of Birding and Wildlife Trails at 609-861-0700, ext. 22.      

A diversity of sites is appropriate for the Trail. Sites can be on public or private land; can be excellent birding and wildlife-watching year-round or just in one season; or their access can even be restricted to appointments only. Sites of historical or local significance that also offer wildlife-viewing opportunities are also eligible for nomination.  Before you exclude a site because it is non-traditional, consult the Director of Birding and Wildlife Trails and share your idea.

Though the nomination period for the Delaware Bayshore region is over, the nominations for the Meadowlands Birding, Wildlife and Fishing Trails will be open soon. Keep checking the website to find out when nominations will be open for the Trails Guide in your region.

3.) Who can nominate sites for the trail?

Anyone can nominate a site—private citizens, conservationists, birders, tourism executives, land managers, or business owners. The success of this project depends on community involvement.  Why?  Because you know best where to view wildlife, and you know best where you would like to direct visitors in your community.  We welcome your input.

4.) How do I nominate a site?

A site is nominated by filling out a site nomination form. The form asks simple questions about the type of site you are nominating, and about what kind of wildlife you are able to view there. To receive a site nomination form, simply download one from this website or call 609-861-0700, ext. 22 and a nomination form will be sent to you.

5.) What happens after a site is nominated?

First, the nomination form is checked for completeness and evaluated based on site criteria.  If the form was not submitted by the property owner/manager, that person will be contacted and forwarded the nomination. The Birding Trails Director contacts the land manager to congratulate them, and then forwards the form for their review, and hopefully, their concurrence.

Each nominated site will be evaluated by a Birding Trails staff member or seasonal site consultant. Meeting with site managers and/or nominators is helpful, but not always possible; accordingly, the completeness of your nomination form is very important.

Any accepted site will afford exceptional wildlife-viewing of native plants and animals in a safe and friendly environment.  Emphasis will be placed on the reliability and diversity of the wildlife-viewing experience, as well as enhancements that nature enthusiasts have come to expect such as viewing platforms, educational brochures and signage.  And while some wildlife-watchers seek the remote and wild, others prefer the conveniences of staffed centers with drinking water, shops and educational programs.  The guide will include all kinds of destinations from State Parks to botanical gardens and will offer detailed descriptions to prepare travelers for their journeys.

6.) When will the BWT Guide be available?

The Delaware Bayshore Birding and Wildlife Trails Guide will be available to the public in October of 2005.

The Meadowlands Birding, Wildlife and Fishing Trails Guide will be available in June of 2006.

7.) How do I get a guide?

Guides will be available at New Jersey Audubon Centers and at various tourism offices throughout the state.

8.) How much does each guide cost?

Birding and Wildlife Trails guides are free! All you have to do is contact us and we will send you our free guide!

9.) What kind of economic impacts do wildlife watchers have?

Wildlife watchers spend money on gas, hotels, souvenirs, meals and other travel necessities while they are enjoying their hobby. Unlike most tourists, the fewer improvements to an area, the more likely wildlife watchers are to visit. This means that they generate more money in your community with less capital investment. For more information on wildlife watching and economics, click here.

10.) How often will the guides be updated?

The goal of the project is to update the Birding and Wildlife Trails guides every 5 years. If you have any suggestions or recommendations for future guides, please contact us.      

11.) How are the trails different from the IBBA?

The Birding and Wildlife Trails initiative is designed to get people out to the sites that many people have already worked so hard to preserve and beautify.  It is being created with the beginning wildlife-watcher in mind – a truly user-friendly guide to wildlife-watching in New Jersey.  The Important Birds and Birding Areas (IBBA’s) initiative is directed primarily at conservationists and land management professionals for large-scale bird conservation planning.  It will also highlight areas that are exceptional for bird-watching, which is important for the more advanced bird-watcher.  IBBA sites may be included as Wildlife and Birding Trails sites as well.

12.) Who do I contact for more information?

For more information on the Delaware Bayshore Birding and Wildlife Trails, contact the project Director, Lillian Armstrong, or call 609-861-0700, ext. 22.