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Wildlife viewing opportunities are everywhere and include a variety of animals, some as common as a hummingbird at a backyard feeder, some passing through only briefly on their seasonal migrations, and others so rare that dedicated watchers spend hours just to catch a glimpse.
Watching wildlife is a lifelong learning experience. It can begin at any age and everyone can participate.
Arizona provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the nation, with more than 900 animal species and 50 million public acres of natural land to explore. So, you are bound to witness some spectacular sights in Arizona’s varied landscapes if you know where and when to look, what to look for, and how to look for wildlife in any givenhabitat.
What is wildlife viewing?
Wildlife viewing is the activity of watching and enjoying wildlife species in their natural environment. The activity may be as simple as observing a backyard bird feeder, or as adventurous as a moonlit hike through a canyon to watch nocturnal animals scurry about under the cover of dark. It is also called watchable wildlife.
Why watch wildlife?
- It can provide a fun and inexpensive activity for the entire family to enjoy together.
- It is a relaxing experience that provides a reconnection to nature.
- Observers can gain a better understanding of how wildlife acts in their natural environment, including how they forage for food, where they live and their interactions with other wildlife.
- Seeing wildlife can leave a viewer with a positive, unforgettable, and personal experience that they will recall for years to come.
- Wildlife viewing experiences can help inspire conservation efforts to benefit wildlife.
- Wildlife viewing provided more than $825 million in 2006 to Arizona and its communities.
- It benefits wildlife through a heightened public awareness of the value of wildlife and habitat, and the need to conserve irreplaceable assets.
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