Gilbert town councilwoman Linda Abbott has a vision, a cause and a gift for selling both.
She came to my office the other day on what sales people might characterize as a cold call, and I ended up buying.
Her cause is to leverage Gilbert’s growing reputation as a destination for the people who buy $1,800 Zeiss binoculars, thousands of dollars in camera equipment and go looking for birds to add to their lists.
If you’ve ever walked along the ponds at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve near Greenfield and Guadalupe roads and watched an assortment of birders train their glass on a Belted Kingfisher, you understand what I’m talking about.
Guadalupe and Greenfield is where the vision begins, but it’s not where it ends. Abbott’s vision is focused not on what already exists but on the next generation Gilbert bird sanctuary and maybe a whole lot more.
If you’re not familiar with the preserve on Guadalupe, the primary purpose of the area is to percolate filtered wastewater into the earth. But riparian institute director Scott Anderson seized on the opportunity to turn the ponds into a habitat for a multitude of migratory bird species and the surrounding land into a place where people can take a walk, go for a run, enjoy a family outing or, for a lucky bird-watcher a once in a lifetime sighting of a Streaked-back Oriole.
The next generation wastewater treatment and riparian bird sanctuary will be on 120 acres of land the town owns on the east side of Higley Road where a spur of Ocotillo Road intersects.
There are hurdles, but if they can be overcome, Abbot and Anderson believe that the next preserve could turn Gilbert into a serious tourist destination. Success would depend on the right combination of attractions.
Think about the Sonoran Desert Museum and the amount of out-of-town traffic it generates. Or even think about Balboa Park in San Diego and how it’s so much more than a park.
Abbott noted the next preserve is bordered by Sonoqui Wash, which enhances the potential.
But, for the moment, forget the big dreams and focus simply on the world of birding.
Last winter reporter David Biscobing did a story about Arizona’s most lucrative tourist activity. And it’s not golf.
Biscobing quoted Joe Yarkin, watchable wildlife manager for Arizona Department of Game and Fish, saying that birding brings Arizona 350,000 people every year and $1 billion.
Let me repeat that: $1 billion.
I don’t know if that number is accurate, but I do dabble enough in bird watching to know that Arizona is a must visit state among serious birders.
I assume that much of that traffic goes to southern Arizona, but the more I’ve looked into it the more I realize that our neck of the woods is a pretty good area to in which to see bird species you won’t see in Indiana or Oregon.
I chatted it up with an Oregon woman not long ago at the preserve. She was retired and had made a point of stopping to bird watch in Gilbert on her way back from a birding trip in Mexico.
Only people with money make those kinds of trips.
Last fall I got a call from a woman from South Bend whom I knew through family friends.
Her husband is a rocket scientist, and Orbital Sciences in Chandler was bringing him in for several weeks to work on a project. Where could they go bird-watching? she asked.
I introduced her to the Gilbert preserve where in the following weeks they became regulars on their way to spotting 49 species they had never seen before.
I don’t think I need to tell you that rocket scientists have disposable income.
But Abbott and Anderson want to capture more than hard core bird-watchers.
They are looking for ideas to make the area an attraction to families.
One idea offered by Anderson is of an aquarium, and he points to the success of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The existing Gilbert preserve already attracts shore birds. Can the fish be far behind?
As you can tell, I don’t think Abbot’s vision is for the birds.
Mr Ripley,
Both yourself and councilwoman Abbott should be commended for being forward thinking. Honestly take a look around. New home permits are non existent and the sales tax generated by the new shopping in town is low due to the downturn in the economy. I think a reality check is in order. Gilbert is looking at closing a public pool due to the perception that it will save money. (Supposedly $75,000) The Town of Gilbert is facing a very well documented shortfall as are others cities in the area. But instead of encourage new business and new “Destination” type amenities we are still excited about another strip mall or more houses. Remember the water park proposed for the corner of Ray and San Tan Village roads? Anyone? I do. So my family and I spend our money in Mesa. We need more of What Ms Abbott is proposing NOT Less. So how long? How long do we continue doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome? Isn’t that the classic definition of insanity?