 Promote Interest in Alaska's Wildlife May 10, 2003
"The goals of this program are to inspire interest in birds and bird conservation and encourage birders to take their skills to a higher level," said Murkowski. Funding for the program is being provided in part through a grant from Alaska Airlines to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. These funds will help match new federal dollars provided to each state for wildlife programs. While serving in the U.S. Senate, Murkowski helped to secure the new funds to help create this program and others like it. Steve Zimmerman received the top certificate for the 349 species he's seen in Alaska, including such rarely seen species as the Steller's sea eagle, far eastern curlew, and great spotted woodpecker. Awards were also given to Deborah Rudis and Tom Paul for identifying 245 and 155 birds respectively. The final certificate was awarded to 8-year-old Fiona Brown, who's identified 63 birds, most of them close to home. Among the birds Fiona has identified are the black-crowned night heron and the red-necked phalarope. Fiona became interested in birding through her 1st grade teacher, Fred Hiltner, who regularly takes his students on bird walks. "Bird watching and wildlife viewing in general are big business in Alaska," said Murkowski. "Alaskans, along with the 1.2 million summer visitors to Alaska-many of whom come to view wildlife-spend more than $500 million here each year in pursuit of viewing opportunities. Bird watching, in particular, is growing in popularity. I am proud of these Alaskans who have taken the time to get to know our avian friends a little better." This weekend, birding festivals
take place in Homer and Cordova to celebrate the millions of
migratory birds that return to their Alaska nesting grounds each
summer from as far away as Antarctica, Africa and Australia.
Saturday is International Migratory Bird Day. For more information
on "Wings Over Alaska," contact Karla Hart at 465-5157
or visit www.birding.alaska.gov.
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