WHAT ARE THE DELAWARE BAYSHORE BIRDING AND WILDLIFE TRAILS?

Wildlife watching is one of the nation's fastest growing outdoor recreational activities. To enhance people's viewing opportunities along the bayshore in Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties, The Delaware Bayshore Birding and Wildlife Trails Guide will feature a variety of sites where wildlife enthusiasts can go to see the region's unique ecosystems and great diversity of plants and animals.

The Delaware Bayshore Birding and Wildlife Trails will use our existing state, county and local transportation infrastructure to connect each region's birding and wildlife-watching sites in 2-3 day local loops to facilitate and encourage nature-based tourism in a target area.

This project is funded by the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and is a cooperative effort between New Jersey Audubon Society, NJDOT, NJ Department of Environmental Protection and the NJ Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission. While the first project focuses on the Delaware Bayshore Region, the goal is to cover the whole state of New Jersey in future guides.

HOW DOES A SITE GET ON THE TRAIL?

Anyone can nominate a site - birders, citizen conservationists, tourism executives, land managers or business owners.

Each site is evaluated based on a set of criteria. Accepted sites 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. While some wildlife-watchers seek the remote and wild, others prefer the conveniences of staffed centers with drinking water, restrooms, 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.

A diversity of sites are sought 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.

SITE NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR CAPE MAY, CUMBERLAND AND SALEM COUNTIES

If you know of a good place to view wildlife in your area, please take the time to fill out a site nomination form. Go to www.njaudubon.org/BWT to download a nomination form. Fill out the form to the best of your ability (don't worry if you can't answer every question) and return it to: BWT, New Jersey Audubon Society, 600 Rt. 47 N., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 by March 15, 2005.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A SITE IS NOMINATED?

1. 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 for review, and hopefully, concurrence.

2. The site is visited during Winter/Spring 2005. A Birding Trails staff member or seasonal site consultant will visit each nominated site. Meeting with site managers and/or nominators is helpful, but not always possible; accordingly, the completeness of your application is very important.