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Why Avi Will Not Work

It must be near a birding "hot-spot", thus why would people shift from regular use to Avi? Maybe existing places may pay a fee to become Avi -certified.

The initial cost is very great.

It seems necessary to create several courses at once for it to catch on.

There is a lack of credentials. A well-known ornithologist is needed bor people to believe in it.

1. Land suitable may not be readily available or will be too costly.
2. Management will be very difficult.
3. Marketing will be a great challenge.
4. The market size seems small. Who will participate?
5. Location needs to be near people, thus raising the costs (travel and housing)
6. The costs will exceed the income. Fees will be too high.
7. There may not be enough rare or different species than found in the neighborhood.
8. After people have seen all of the birds on a course, they will loose interest.
9. The course may seem too staged; birders may prefer to take their chances elsewhere.
10. Too many birders may make conditions unsuitable.
11. Competition with public agencies may not be tolerated and have unknown, bad results.

Why it may work:

1. There are people with discretionary income
2. Interest in birding is high and growing
3. It is a small activity, not like a trip or a climb into the mountains
4. Public areas can be used, thus no land acquisition costs. Money could go for maintenance and improvements, upkeep.
5. Positive press can make it work
6. Beginners may find it less intimidating than going out on their own.
7. Management procedure is fairly well known
8. High prices and crowd management can regulate density of birders.
9. Many birders are well off.
10. Many birders develop life lists and multiple courses will fit this interest.
11. The timing is ok. There is heightened interest in the outdoors and related recreation. Demand is high and people may like to try an Avi course.
12. There is novelty and it will bring in business and hopefully keep it.
13. Wild places are decreasing. This can be a money-based justification for saving and tending a few special spots for human as well as a bird get-a-way.

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This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.