New wildlife viewing guide reveals Arizona's top natural treasures Oct 17, 2007 Have you ever wondered: What is there to do this weekend? Where can you and your family go to enjoy nature, observe wildlife and relax in your area? The answer to these questions and many more can be found in the new Arizona Wildlife Viewing Guide. Arizona provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the nation, with more than 900 animal species and 50 million public acres of natural land to explore. The guide takes you on a magnificent journey through the state's canyons and cliffs, deserts and plateaus. It offers detailed descriptions of 128 unique sites and the wildlife found at them, accompanied by beautiful photographs of the sites and animals. Readers will enjoy tips for wildlife watching and a tiered rating system that highlights "can't miss" locations. Site features, driving directions and contact information are also included. Locations are divided into five regions and include national and state parks, wildlife refuges and nature trails. Grand Canyon National Park, with its spectacular geology and more than 500 wildlife species, and Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, with more than 30,000 wintering sandhill cranes, are among the many "can't miss" locations. "With so many beautiful sites and wildlife species highlighted in the book, residents and visitors to our great state will have a long 'to do' list that will provide them with diverse wildlife viewing opportunities not found in many other states," says Bob Hernbrode, Arizona Game and Fish Department commissioner and a member of the publication's steering committee.  The guide is a perfect resource for the state's many new residents to learn about Arizona's top natural areas and viewing opportunities, as well as a source for updated information to long-time residents who may not have explored all the state has to offer.   A recent national survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that Arizona residents and visitors spent more than $825 million in 2006 on wildlife watching in the state. Wildlife watching includes closely observing or photographing wildlife. The survey showed 51 percent of wildlife watchers in Arizona, including visiting non-residents, traveled one mile or more to enjoy activities, while 75 percent participated in wildlife watching around their Arizona home. The book is available for $14.95 at any Arizona Game and Fish Department office or by going to the department's Web site at www.azgfd.gov/publications for a mail-in order form. Customers who purchase the new guide will also receive a free copy of the previous edition of the book, while supplies last. The Arizona Wildlife Viewing Guide is a joint effort between the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Watchable Wildlife, Inc. Steering committee members include Arizona State Parks, Pima County Parks and Recreation Department, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Arizona Department of Transportation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The guide is made possible by a grant from the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Heritage Fund, a fund created by Arizona voters in 1990 to support conservation efforts through lottery ticket sales in the state.