Image: Spencer Lind, Pexels  

A day to celebrate all Michiganders and visitors to our state who enjoy wildlife by hiking, taking pictures, bird-watching, or studying nature, is long-overdue. Our beautiful state has an abundance of animals, plants and landscapes which provide diverse and rich opportunities to enjoy nature.

More than 3 million Michigan residents participate in Wildlife Watching activities, contributing at least $1.2 million annually to the state’s economy, according to the most recent data from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service[1]. More than 60% of Michigan's residents are actively involved in viewing and photographing wildlife, according to the Department of Natural Resources[2].

Michigan's constitution states: “The conservation and development of the natural resources of the state are hereby declared to be of paramount public concern in the interest of the health, safety and general welfare of the people. The legislature shall provide for the protection of the air, water and other natural resources of the state from pollution, impairment and destruction”[3]. 

Wildlife Watching Day will promote awareness of the outdoor activities and an appreciation of the need to promote wildlife conservation and may become a tradition in future years.

September 4 is National Wildlife Day. It is an appropriate day to commemorate Wildlife Watching.

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[1] 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (census.gov), https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/fhwar/publications/2011/fhw11-mi.pdf (see page 14 of 94), updated October 2018  
[2] https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79137_84659-121638--,00.html 
[3] Article IV, section 52