Keep those nature connections
By Dr. Jeff Koenings, WDFW Director

Nature slows down at the end of the growing season, but too often we don’t.

We shift from summertime outdoor relaxation to overly busy indoor fall and winter schedules.

To stay physically, mentally and spiritually healthy, we need to keep our connections with nature.

That was one of the “take home” messages last month at our fifth annual conference on wildlife-related recreation and tourism. The gathering’s “Pathways to Nature” theme was inspired by Governor Chris Gregoire’s Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign, which promotes the idea that being outdoors and enjoying nature is “good for us.”

From Pend Oreille County to Long Beach, the 100 business owners, community leaders, and others who attended the two-day event near Mt. Rainier learned that wildlife festivals and other nature-based events are “pathways” for reconnecting to Washington’s great outdoors.

I remember our first such conference in Olympia, co-sponsored as it is today with the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, aimed at expanding wildlife viewing tourism. At that time we were talking about the $980 million generated in Washington annually from wildlife viewing alone, based on the 2001 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Related Recreation.

At this year’s event, which included the Washington State Department of Transportation and Audubon Washington as sponsors, participants learned that Washington communities are boosted by 51 percent more, with nearly $1.5 billion from annual wildlife-watching expenditures, according to the USFWS 2006 survey.

But an even more important change that was discussed is the concept that has been sweeping the country since author Richard Louv’s book, “Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder,” became a best seller last year – that youngsters disconnected from outdoor play and interest in natural resources are not healthy.

Keynote speaker Martin LeBlanc, National Youth Education director for the Sierra Club in Seattle, discussed ways to remedy that “nature-deficit disorder” among youngsters. The conference’s adult participants recognized those remedies are for “youngsters of all ages” and many took advantage of a nature walk with WDFW wildlife biologist Chuck Gibilisco.

Another conference speaker well-received was Andy Dumaine, founder of shrinkingfootprint, a strategic marketing firm advancing sustainable tourism. We need to be particularly mindful of his advice, about protecting the goose laying the golden eggs, as the popularity of wildlife watching continues to grow in Washington.

That’s essentially the challenge of our dual mandate as stewards of the state’s fish and wildlife – while we preserve, protect and perpetuate the fish, wildlife and habitat of Washington, we also try to maximize fish and wildlife recreational opportunities for you. Both are important and interconnected.

During this season when nature is slowing down, I encourage you to take some time outdoors to enjoy it.