Calling cards

[Nick Allen]

I had one of those 'that's an interesting idea' moments today, reading the final edition of Birders World (before it became Birdwatching). Apparently in some parts of the US birders leave printed calling cards at businesses they shop at or places they eat, to tell the owner that they have been there, no doubt with the ulterior motives of demonstrating that birders and therefore birds and the environment have value, and maybe creating more focus on products that are suitable for a birding clientele.

With there being a lot fewer birders per square mile/km (or per capita) in NZ I doubt such an idea would work here, but might it be useful in these days where those in power focus so strongly trying to attract the mighty dollar (and maybe also games of 30 men playing with odd-shaped balls for interrupted intervals of 80 minutes) at the expense of the environment, if it were used by the environmentalist/ecological movement as a whole?

'You have just had a visitation by the greenies. We spent $xx with you, and that forest down the road is worth protecting/that mountain shouldn't be opencasted...'

[phil hammond]

Hi Nick and all

I agree, I think its important for each of us to let local buisnesses know why we [and our visitors if we have some with us]are spending money with them and how important eco-tourism is to them and to the NZ economy

Personally when i go into a shop, motel reception, service station, cafe etc i'm always wearing bins and often a Miranda or Wrybill Tours cap as well

if they still dont get it i tell them what brought me into their premises

Phil H