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What is Watchable Wildlife?

Watchable wildlife includes a wide array of state animals, some as common as a familiar bird at a backyard feeder, some briefly passing through on seasonal migrations, some rarely-seen species that provide the dedicated viewer with a reward for hours of patient waiting.

Besides the animals themselves, watchable wildlife describes an increasingly popular pursuit for many residents. Wildlife viewing is a pastime that can be enjoyed in any season, in any corner of the state, by any age group. Unlike some activities, special equipment is not required. Wildlife watchers need to come equipped only with a sense of appreciation for the state's living resources and the knowledge of where to look for them. We hope you will find this site helpful in meeting that need.

If you have questions or comments please e-mail wildthing@dfw.wa.gov

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Wild Washington Minute
WILDLIFE WATCHING WINTER VIEWING
Wild Washington Minute
Wildlife viewing is at its
very best in Washington.
Here is how to get more
out of the experience.
Wild Washington Minute
There's a lot of wildlife to see
during Washington's winters.
Take this cross county ski
tour as we look for the tracks
of local wildlife.
Broadband
Broadband
Running Time: 3:42
Broadband
Broadband
Running Time: 4:33
Nature Tourism Benefits Washington Communities
• A Community Guide to Nature Tourism
• Statewide Wildlife Viewing Plan for Washington to Increase Rural Tourism (2005)
• Strategic Plan - Wildlife Viewing Activities In Washington: March 2004 Report to the Washington Legislature
• Economics and Demographics of Wildlife Viewing Slideshow (2001)
• The Watchable Wildlife Industry (1996)
• Economics of Washington Watchable Wildlife Slideshow (1996)
   
Living with Washington's Wildlife
From bats to woodpeckers, the animal species covered in this series were selected after surveying agencies and organizations that receive calls from the public about local wildlife. While many people call for general information about wildlife, in many cases the calls are from people who are—or think they are—experiencing a conflict with a wild animal and are seeking a way to remedy the problem. More information...
 
Partner Agencies
• Washington State Tourism Office - experiencewa.com
• Washington Parks and Recreation
• Scenic Byways - WSDOT
• Washington Audubon Society
• Washington Department of Natural Resources
•

USDA Forest Service Nature Watch

• WDFW Weekender
Report
• Northcentral Washington Viewing Map for Highway 97
• Western Washington Viewing Map for Interstate 5
• Scuba Diving in Washington
• Wildlife Areas
• Water Access Sites
• It's a WILD Life...Let's Keep It That Way!
• Yakima Area Wildlife Viewing Guide
• Birding In and Around Klickitat County
• WDFW Image Gallery
• An Introduction to Washington's Wildlife Areas
• Washington's Tidelands
• Crossing Paths Newsletter
• Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing
• Be Whale Wise
• Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines
Wildlife Area Viewing Guide
• Eastern Washington Wildlife
• SW Washington Wildlife Gallery
• Great Washington State Birding Trail
• Watching Washington Birds
• Puget Sound Eyes on Wildlife
• Wildlife and Shellfish Activities for Children
• Washington State Accessible Outdoor Recreation Guide
Accessing Washington's Outdoors (ADA)
 
Binocular highway signs mark hundreds of wildlife viewing areas, many described in state guidebooks.
 
How You Can Help
• Found injured wildlife? New!
• Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary: Projects, plans, and more...
• Wildlife Viewing Ethics
• Winter Wildlife Feeding Fact Sheet
• Love wild birds? Keep your cat indoors
• Wildlife-Themed License Plates Now Available!
• Personalized License Plates
• Purchase a Watchable Wildlife Decal Package
• Marine Tourism Best Management Practices
Help Support Wildlife Activities in Washington
Five new license plate backgrounds to choose from, featuring some of the state’s premier wildlife species. Proceeds from the sale of the plates go to improving management for these and other wildlife species as well as improving conservation and recreation programs related to wildlife in Washington. Now, you can combine BOTH a wildlife background and a personalized message!
Buy Your Plate Today!
   
Weekender Report

Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program

Purchase a Watchable Wildlife Decal Vehicle Use Permit
Be Whale Wise
Other Wildlife Viewing Links
• Seattle Audubon's Society
- BirdWeb: Online guide to the birds
- BirdNote: Radio shows about the birds
•

Mammals of Washington

•

National Park Service

•

Recreation.Gov

• Washington Birding Hotspots
• Trumpeter Swan Society
• Westport Seabirds
• Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Festival
• Falcon Research Group
• Nature of the Northwest
• Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
• Washington Ornithological Society
• Washington Trails Association
•

National Wildlife Refuge System

• Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition
• GORP - Washington
• Teaming With Wildlife
• Boat Launch Sites - RCO
• Watchable Wildlife Inc.
• National Parks of the Pacific Northwest
• Washington Nature Weekends
• NMFS Northwest Region Marine Mammal Information


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E-mail: webmaster@dfw.wa.gov
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