Lois Morrison, conservation supporter and friend of Rare, recently joined Rare on a trip to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize.

February 1, 2008

World Wetlands Day, an annual celebration and promotion of international wetlands, was the perfect backdrop for Rare’s visit to the village of Crooked Tree and Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize. Nearly ten years ago the Crooked Tree lagoon became Belize’s first wetland area added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. The extensive lagoon area experiences dramatic seasonal shifts in water levels. The resulting mosaic of freshwater and terrestrial habitats provides refuge for an amazing diversity of native plants and animals, including the rare and endangered Jabiru Stork.

Lois Morrison, enjoying a boat trip in Belize 

The group visiting Crooked Tree included Rare Board Members, Rare staff, guests, and representatives from the National Audubon Society. We were hosted by staff and trustees of the Belize Audubon Society. Our morning began with a birding trip. My group explored the sanctuary by boat. Thanks to the expert staff from the Belize Audubon Society and the Bird’s Eye View Lodge, we logged around 70 different species of birds, including the small, brilliantly colored Vermilion Flycatcher, the Bare-throated Tiger Heron, and the majestic Snail Kite.  

Although the birding was phenomenal, highlights from the Crooked Tree visit included the people, their stories and first-hand insight into the evolving methodology and increased rigor that is being applied to initiate a Rare Pride campaign. We had an opportunity to meet with some members of the community and learn about the Belize Audubon Society to better understand the context for the new Rare Pride campaign in Crooked Tree. Most importantly, we met Olivia Carballo-Avilez, the manager for this Pride campaign. Olivia walked us through the systematic methodology she is piloting to develop her campaign’s work-plan. Everyone was impressed and energized to support Olivia, her partners, and the community in its successful implementation.

Olivia’s Jabiru Mascot with local school children. 

Our time at Crooked Tree ended with World Wetlands Day celebration events. School kids from the community were creating arts and crafts, going on nature walks, and exploring the lagoon by boat. This event is where the Crooked Tree Pride campaign’s new mascot – the yet-to-be-named Jabiru Stork –made its debut.