Want to Start Your Own Plans for Wildlife Viewing?
Wildlife Viewing Plan template
Released at the 2024 Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Academy, this Wildlife Viewing Plan Template is the same template used for the Wildlife Viewing Community of Practice. It features a background/introduction; goals, objectives, and strategies, and a line of logic for evaluation. Download yours and start planning today!
Wildlife Viewing Plan Slides
This slide deck accompanied the presentation at the Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Academy. References these slides for additional information about how to fill in your Wildlife Viewing Plan Template.
Check out these resources from across the U.S. and Canada
Existing resources keep you from re-creating the wheel. Kick start your project with these examples.
Explore the resources that are available to you to use for wildlife viewing programs below.
They Cover
Ethical Viewing Information
Details how to view wildlife in a safe and ethical manner.
How to View Wildlife
Information about how to view wildlife, what equipment to use, and where to go to view wildlife.
Wildlife Information
Information about different types of wildlife from throughout the country.
Activities and Programs
Materials related to wildlife viewing programs, including at home or on state land viewing.
Ethical Viewing Information
Wildlife Viewing in Washington State (Spanish)
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
This brochure was created to assist wildlife viewers of all experience levels. It offers information on places to view wildlife, how to responsibly view wildlife, and how to get started with wildlife viewing. It comes in English and Spanish.
Wildlife Viewing in Washington State (English)
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
This brochure was created to assist wildlife viewers of all experience levels. It offers information on places to view wildlife, how to responsibly view wildlife, and how to get started with wildlife viewing. It comes in English and Spanish
Ethical Wildlife Photography Blog
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Created to provide a succinct resource for ethical wildlife photography practices.
Wildlife Viewing Ethics Webpage
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
The Ethical Wildlife Viewing webpage for Washington has information on how to keep people, wildlife, and the environment safe and healthy while experiencing wildlife.
Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Viewing Brochure
Arizona Game and Fish Department
We created a brochure that can be easily digested and is small enough to fit in a backpack for any wildlife viewing outing for folks to review wildlife tips, tricks and techniques to use when out in nature looking for wildlife to observe.
How, What, When, Where to Wildlife View Presentation Material
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Within our “Wildlife Viewing: Who is Watching Whom” Within our “Wildlife Viewing: “Who is Watching Whom” presentation we have outlined the how, when, and where to view wildlife to make for an outing with the highest chance for success to see some amazing animals. We have also outlined various outdoor ethics for wildlife views to abide by when out in nature.
Wildlife Viewing Guide + Raptor Distance
This card provides tips for wildlife viewing and photography concerning raptors. It includes recommended viewing distances for over a dozen species. Resource Author: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
How to View Wildlife Information
Birding Basics Presentation and Bird Cut-Outs
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
This is a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation about Birding Basics followed by an in-person birding activity (with an ID guide) to practice honing in the skills learned from the presentation. Fake bird cut-outs are pinned inside or outside to give learners a chance to identify species and practice using binoculars.
Wildlife Viewing Webpage
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Launched in early 2023, this Wildlife Viewing webpage covers basics in how to get started, where to go (including in-person options and virtual viewing options with live cameras), informative blogs on viewing topics, ethical viewing and photography practices, and more for Washington.
Georgia Colonial Coast Birding Trail Checklist
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Designed for use at tourism centers and trail sites, the 4-color 4×9” checklist includes a trail map and QR code linking to https://georgiabirdingtrails.com on the back.
Simple Steps of How to Get Started
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Article on agency website that provides readers with information about how to bird, what to bring, and where to go.
Bino Buying Tips
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The flier details characteristics of binoculars, prices, including magnification.
Introducción a la Observación de Aves
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Bird Watching is a great way to connect with nature. This short Spanish video provides useful tips to start this activity on your own.
Cómo Limpiar un Alimentador de Aves
South Carolina Department of Natural Resourcesrces
A short Spanish video on how to keep bird feeders clean.
Birding Basics
Nebraska Birding Guide
This webpage from the Nebraska Birding Guide reviews information about planning a birding adventure, equipment, and field guides.
Bird-friendly Backyards
Nebraska Birding Guide
This webpage from the Nebraska Birding Guide reviews different types of bird feeders, bird baths, and birdhouses, and how to maintain plantings for birds.
Wildlife Information
Owls Pocket Guide
Idaho Fish and Game
This e-booklet provides readers with information about owls, their purpose in the ecosystem, and specific species profiles.
Wildlife Viewing 101 PowerPoint Presentation
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
This is a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation about Wildlife Viewing 101. Covers how to get started, what to bring, how to support community science, and how to be safe and ethical while wildlife viewing.
Bilingual Common Backyard Birds
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Publication highlighting basic bird anatomy, as well as some of the most common bird species in South Carolina.
Birding 101
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
This presentation shares information about birds in Florida and how to view them.
South Puget Sound Marinas Wildlife Identification Guide Brochure
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
This ID guide assists wildlife viewers in determining which common species of wildlife they may be spotting in South Puget Sound. While this list is certainly not exhaustive, it includes some commonly seen species of birds, mammals, and invertebrates.
Ungulates Pocket Guide
Idaho Fish and Game
This e-booklet provides readers with information about ungulates, their purpose in the ecosystem, and specific species profiles.
Activities and Programs
Watchable Wildlife Grant Program
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
First launched in 2021, this competitive grant offers funding for select wildlife viewing projects in Washington every two years. Projects focused on serving traditionally underserved communities take priority. The webpage includes grant information as well as a downloadable PDF flyer.
Habitat at Home Webpage
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
This webpage contains information for the community on how to make small or large-space habitats for wildlife, such as pollinators, bats, and songbirds. Includes bird-feeding best practices and printable resources like brochures, plant species lists, and habitat certification applications.
Georgia Colonial Coast Birding Trail Rack Card
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
The checklist is a trim, inexpensive 4-fold handout that trail-goers can use to record species (if they want to on paper) and explore the trail’s scope of possible species and when each is most likely to be seen.