Using a Birding Facility for Economic Conservation and Development

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is planning a nature interpretive center (focused upon birds) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas (LRGV). The Department has asked our firm to develop a series of justifications and economic feasibility studies for this project. In many ways, this case is identical to those faced by various state game and parks commissions on a daily basis where we have to ask, "How does one argue for economic-based conservation?"

Based on our preliminary work on this project, Fermata Inc., in partnership with David Heil and Associates, has been awarded the contract to develop the marketing plan for the World Birding Center.

Nature Lodge

At the invitation of Presidian, operating under an agreement with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Fermata undertook a preliminary analysis of a select group of TPWD State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) as to their suitability for the development of private-sector nature lodging. Fermata devoted this initial effort to a general assessment of the primary factors that would influence suitability: nature resource diversity and recreational opportunities, environmental sensitivity and carrying capacity, social carrying capacity (both present and projected), community support or opposition, and the perspectives of existing staff.

Avitourism in Texas

Two groups of birders in Texas, the 1998 Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival participants and people who had requested more information on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail (GTCBT), were surveyed. The survey sought to determine the economic impact of the birders, their level of support for the proposed World Birding Center (WBC) in the Rio Grande Valley, their ideas on what the WBC should encompass, and for the GTCBT users, to evaluate the map.

Texas Prairie Rivers Initiative

Texas Prairie Rivers Initiative

If you are bidding for a project, responding to a request or submitting a proposal for funding for a birding trail or any large program, we'll work with you to prepare a competitive, professional proposal.

We have been successful working with our clients to submit grants, requests and proposals for ISTEA and TEA-21 funds from the Department of Transportation, the Landowner Incentive Program at Texas Parks and Wildlife, EPA and private foundations.

Read More
Return to top of Page

Estero Llano Grande and the World Birding Center

The Weslaco Development Corporation hired Fermata Inc to advise them on how to proceed with Estero Llano Grande, one of the World Birding Center Satellite Sites. Using data gathered in previous studies, Fermata projected the economic impact of attracting birders traveling along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and/or attending the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival to Weslaco. Weslaco’s tourism infrastructure was examined to determine if there were hotel rooms available for avitourists. Recommendations for purchasing (including obtaining commitments from an outside funding source) several tracts of lands to create a world class birding interpretive center were presented.

Return to top of Page

Texas City Wetland Restoration

Texas City is continuing with the beautification plan that was started in part by the hummingbird and butterfly garden built there with enhancement funds provided by the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail grant. Fermata Inc. will work with Texas City to rid a wetland of the exotic Chinese Tallow Tree and replace it with a variety of native and adapted plants that will benefit wildlife.

Return to top of Page