New "Nature Travel Network" Targets Birders

The Nature Travel Network (naturetravelnetwork.com) is a new website where passionate and inquisitive nature lovers can "window shop" for destinations, research travel plans, and strategize where and when to watch birds and other wildlife. The site provides a growing suite of destination overviews, travel stories, festival and trail listings, and place-based wildlife photography and videos.

Launched in early April, the site is driven by a team of international bloggers who are dedicated to the art and science of birding and nature travel. The team includes professional tour leaders, photographers, videographers, sound recordists, avid travelers and self-described "mad birders!" The writers provide both avid and expert advice about destinations on every continent and discuss things like bird ID, conservation, and photography as they pertain to the travel experience.

"The mission of Nature Travel Network is to inspire and inform birding & nature travel by providing practical advice on the world's hotspots," says founder Laura Kammermeier, an accomplished birding blogger and website producer. "We are not just another birding blog. Everything we do on our site has a unique purpose: to motivate readers to travel more, see more, and be happy."

"Some travelers take months and months to plan and research a big birding or nature trip," says Kammermeier. "Along with intense logistical information, they try to absorb tons of biological information that helps them interpret what they see in the field. We aim to make their planning more focused by providing insightful overviews, tools, and nuanced travel advice that help readers take their understanding-and enjoyment-to the next level."

Most destination articles on the site offer a detailed If You Go section that tells you when to go, how to get there, where to stay, and more. Authors also provide a handpicked list of resources (field guides, birding checklists, and suggested itineraries) that make travel planning faster and more productive. In the growing Classifieds section travelers can search for tour companies and lodging in locations of their choice. From there, click on any "Meet The Guides" link to find a glimpse of the scope and corporate ethos of various travel companies.

The site also stimulates homegrown travel in the USA by maintaining comprehensive listings for nature & birding festivals, trails, and wildlife refuges and Important Bird Areas. Organizations are invited to list with the site and select from optional promotional services.

Ultimately, Nature Travel Network aims to be a destination portal, a first-stop shop for anyone contemplating a nature tour. The site also invites reader feedback and submissions, such as travel-related guest posts written by travel experts and everyday travelers with a story to tell.

Visit NatureTravelNetwork.com for a daily dose of nature travel inspiration. Also follow along with recent articles via RSS (http://feeds.feedblitz.com/naturetravelnetwork) or Facebook (Facebook.com/naturetravelnet).

Nature Travel Network is an independent project developed by Laura Kammermeier and My Digital Nature.