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RECE]VE <br /> <br />Enclosure <br /> <br />MARTINSVILLE <br />HENRY COUNTY <br /> <br />CHAMBER OF COMMERCE <br /> <br />115 Broad Street · <br /> <br />P,O. Box709 · Martinsville, VA 24114 · 540.632.6401 . <br />www. neocomm.net/~mhccoc · mhccoc@neocomm.net <br /> <br />November 28, 2000 <br /> <br />Fax 540.632.5059 <br /> <br />Mr. Earl Reynolds, Manager <br />City of Martinsville <br />P. O. Drawer 1112 <br />Martinsville, VA 24114 <br /> <br />Dear Earl, <br /> <br />In our mutual efforts to develop the tourism industry in this region, I am asking <br />you to consider the enclosed information regarding the development of a birding <br />and wildlife trail in western Virginia. Nature based tourism is the fastest growing <br />segment in the tourism industry, growing by 30% annually. Birdwatching has <br />increased by 155%, hiking by 93%, and backpacking by 73%. More than 2 <br />million people spend $700 million annually on wildlife-watching in Virginia. Our <br />area has a prime opportunity to capitalize on this trend by supporting the <br />proposed trail. <br /> <br />The Western Phase of the trail will be a series of driving loops using existing <br />roads along the 1-81 corridor and east to Hwy 29. Sites can consist of anything <br />from state parks, wildlife management areas and refuges, county and local parks, <br />historical sites with good habitat, private farms, corporate lands, etc. Not only will <br />these nature travelers enjoy the wildlife, but they will also leave tourist dollars <br />here through lodging, food, and shopping. <br /> <br /> I am requesting that the Martinsville City Council send a resolution of support for <br /> the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail to our regional member on the <br /> Commonwealth Transportation Board. The deadline is Friday, January 12, 2001. <br /> 'A copy of the resolution should also be sent to David;K-,l~Whitehurst,! Director, <br /> Wildlife Diversity Division, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, <br /> P. O. Box 11104, Richmond, VA 23230. !f you have any questions regarding the <br /> trail, contact Mr. Whitehurst at 804-367-0940, dwhitehurst(~.dgif. state.va. us, or by <br /> fax at 804-367-0488. Schedule permitting, .he~wilt..,alse.doalfail-l~eseatationto <br /> ,C. ouncii;jf invited. <br /> <br />ACCREDITED <br /> <br /> <br />