belizelinks

media type="custom" key="3558710" align="right"belize / Belize Links
slideshare: [|Belize on the web] editing: [|Belize]

Forums
[|Belize Forum] [|Ambergriscaye.com]

Facebook
[|Beyond Touring] [|ICRT Belize] [|I love Belize] [|Belize Vacation] [|Peninsula Citizens for Sustainable Development] is concerned with the often rapid, unplanned, poorly executed and unsustainable developments on the Placencia Peninsula and throughout Belize.

twitter
[] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [|@PADFBelize]

YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/mayatours http://www.youtube.com/user/toledopeoplesecopark http://www.youtube.com/user/teabelize http://www.youtube.com/pressofficebelize http://www.youtube.com/user/BelizeTV

wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colville_Young [|Governor General of Belize]

Airlines
http://www.tropicair.com

Archaeology
[|Archaeology in Belize]

Belmopan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmopan http://www.belmopancityonline.com

Belize moved its capital inland to Belmopan after Hurricane Hattie demolished much of Belize City in October 1961.

Birds
__Belize Audobon Society__

Biodiversity
[|Biodiversity Belize]

Blogs http://traversbelize.blogspot.com

Botanical Gardens
[|Belize Botanic]

Business
[|One Barrel Rum] (Belize City) [|The Added Touch] [|Cotton Tree Chocolate] [|Art Box]

Cayo District / Caracol
http://www.moon.com/destinations/belize/cayo-and-mountain-pine-ridge/crystal-rey-and-mountain-pine-ridge/caracol-archaeological-site http://www.belizereport.com/sites/caracol.html http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Caracol http://www.travelbelize.org/attractions/maya-temples-archaeology/caracol-the-snail-3.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracol

Cayo District / San Ignacio
[|Midas Resort] Actun Tunichil Muknal Casa Blanca Guesthouse

Electricity
http://www.bel.com.bz http://belize-guide.info/travel.basics/electricity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize_Electricity_Limited

Environment
[|Programme for Belize] [|Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT)] [|Ministry of Natural Resources] [|Belize Biodiversity Information System] [|Ambergris Caye] [|Caye Caulker] [|Belize Audubon Society] [|Belize Zoo] - [|Blog] [|Protected Areas Conservation Trust] [|Ecotravels on the Sibun River]

Expats
[|Expat Belize]

Events
[|September Celebrations]

Film
http://www.belizefilmfestival.com

Geography
Belize is divided into 6 districts:


 * ~ District ||~ Capital City ||~  ||~   ||~   ||~   ||~   ||
 * [|Belize] || [|Belize City] ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * [|Cayo] || [|San Ignacio] ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * [|Corozal] || [|Corozal Town] ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * [|Orange Walk] || [|Orange Walk Town] ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * [|Stann Creek] || [|Dangriga] ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * [|Toledo] || [|Punta Gorda] ||

Hopkins
Hopkins, Belize, is home to Lebeha Drumming Center, a place to learning and promoting traditional Garifuna drumming and dance.

http://www.hopkinsbelize.com

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Maya Culture
http://www.guidetobelize.info/en/maya/belize-mayan-guide.shtml

Cultures
http://www.enjoy-belize.com/culture.htm http://belize-guide.info/past.and.present/culture http://www.travelbelize.org/about-belize/people-culture/people-culture.html

Music
[|www.stonetreerecords.com]

Photography
[|Wild Belize]

Placencia
Dianni's Guest House

Placencia Tour Operators Association On Monday, 23 August 2010, the Placencia Tour Operators Association voted against cruise ship tourism in Placencia. http://www.belizeforum.com/belize/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=181736

News
[|Channel 5 Belize] [|Amandala] [|Belize Times] [|Belize News] [|7 News]

Tourism
[|Belize First] - Lan Sluder answers questions about Belize [|Belize Online] [|Belize by Natural Light] [|Peter Eltringtram, Gone but not forgotten] [|Belize - Ecoclub]

Sports
http://www.expatbelize.com/expat-blog/96-cricket-in-rural-belize-district.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize_national_cricket_team

Stann Creek
http://www.stanncreek.com

Tourism Industry
[|Belize Tourism Board] [|Belize Tourism Industry Association] - https://www.facebook.com/theBTIA [|Belize Ecotourism Association] [|Belize Howler]

Transportation
http://belize-guide.info/getting.around/buses http://belize-guide.info/getting.around/ferries.and.boats http://www.guidetobelize.info/en/travel/belize-bus-timetable-route-guide.shtml http://belizebus.wordpress.com

Universities
[|University of Belize] is a national, autonomous and multi-location institution committed to excellence in higher education, research and service for national development. [|Galen University]

Weather
http://www.hydromet.gov.bz [|Belize Weather - Weather Underground]

Toledo
http://www.southernbelize.com/tea.html http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=378374597 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo_District,_Belize http://toledotourguides.org http://toledochocolate.com http://www.tidebelize.org http://tidebelize.wordpress.com http://www.satiim.org.bz http://www.thelodgeatbigfalls.com http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&vanity=toledo_ecotourism

Language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Belize

Kriol
http://kriol.org.bz

Kriol Proverbs
[]

Kriol Proverbs from the Rough Guide []


 * **Proverb** || **Literal translation** || **Meaning** ||
 * Mek di man weh loos taiga tai ahn bak. || //Let the man who loosed the tiger tie it back.// || Let the man who created a dangerous situation deal with it. ||
 * Fish geh kech bai ih own mowt. || //A fish gets caught by its own mouth.// || Guilt often gives itself away. ||
 * Kyaahn kech Hari, kech ih shot. || //If you can't catch Harry, catch his shirt.// || If you can't get what you want, get the next best thing. ||

If you're looking for a good meal at a cheaper cost, **Marin's** was pretty good to us. The ceiling features a number of hand painted Kriol proverbs, such as //"Wen teef teef fram teef, God laff,"// and, //"Sea breeze blow pilikin same place 'e wan' go."// Have fun deciphering and then pondering these deep thoughts from the Belizean book of wisdom. - Marin's, [|Go Slow]

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Peace Corps
http://clark-peterek.typepad.com/clarkpeterek

Poetry
http://www.freewebs.com/belizeanpoetssociety/index.htm

Portals http://www.belize.com

Misc
[|Belize.net Engine] [|Lonely Planet - Destination Belize] [|Belize - MetaGuide] http://www.mybelize.net

Ambergris Caye
[|Ambergris Caye] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pedro_Town

Examples of Responsible Tourism
Chaa Creek Tumul Kin Program Maya Centre Program Peccary Hill

Parks
[|Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve] [|Half Moon National Monument - NPS] [|Laughing Bird Caye National Park] [|Belize National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Monuments, Natural Reserves - Ambergriscaye.com] [|Bacalar Chico] / [|Bird Sanctuaries] / [|Burdon Canal Nature Reserve] / [|Blue Hole National Park] / [|Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef] / [|Chiquibul National Park and Caracol] / [|Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary] / [|Columbia River Forest Reserve] / [|Community Baboon Sanctuary] / [|Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary] / [|Five Blues Lake National Park] / [|Glover's Reef Marine Reserve] / [|Guanacaste National Park] / [|Half Moon Caye Natural Monument] / [|Hol Chan Marine Reserve] / [|Laughing Bird Caye] / [|Marco Gonzales] / [|Mexico Rocks] / [|Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve] / [|Payne's Creek National Park] / [|Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area] / [|Shark Ray Alley] / [|Shipstern Nature Reserve] / [|Turneffe Atoll]

Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve http://groups.yahoo.com/group/green-travel/message/4670 http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/bacalar.html http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/parkbacalar.html http://sanpedrosun.net/old/05-134.html

World Heritage Sites
Belize joined UNESCO on May 10th, 1982. The Belize Barrier Reef System is inscribed on the World Heritage List along with the seven protected areas that make up the Belize Barrier Reef System namely, Bacalar Chico Marine & Wildlife Reserve, Glovers Reef Marine Reserve, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, Blue Hole Natural Monument, and Laughing Bird Caye National Park.

Holidays
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Belize http://www.belizenet.com/calendar.html

November 19, [|Garifuna Settlement Day]

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Belize

Elsewhere on the Web
[|Bruce Barcott] [|Biological Diversity in Belize] [|Amandala] [|The Reporter] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Belize [|TIDE] [|National institute of culture and history]

Government http://www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz [|Belize Weather Bureau] [|Climate Change - Belize Weather Bureau] [|Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment]

Departing the country through land borders requires payment of the land border exit fee of US$18.75 per person. A portion of the departure tax goes toward the protection and preservation of the environment. Due to the country's effort to effectively manage their abundant protected areas, visitors are asked to pay a conservation exit fee at any of the exit or entry points. The proceeds from this fee goes to the [|Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT)], which is then distributed and used to sustain the protected areas in Belize.

Parks and Protected Areas
 * **ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVE**
 * [|CAHAL PECH]
 * [|CARACOL]
 * [|EL PILAR]
 * [|ALTUN HA]
 * [|XUNANTUNICH]
 * [|CERRO MAYA]
 * [|LAMANAI]
 * [|NIM LI PUNIT]
 * [|SANTA RITA]
 * **MARINE RESERVE**
 * [|BACALAR CHICO]
 * [|GLADDEN SPIT SILK CAYE]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|CAYE CUALKER]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|GLOVER'S REEF]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**NATIONAL PARK**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|BILLY BARQUEDIER]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**NATURAL MONUMENT**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|BLUE HOLE]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**NATURE RESERVE**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|BLADEN]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**PRIVATE**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|MONKEY BAY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**WILDLIFE SANCTUARY**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|AGUA CALIENTE LUHA]

[|Columbia River Forest Reserve] [|Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**FOREST RESERVES**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|CHIQUIBUL]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|COMMERCE BIGHT]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|COLUMBIA]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|DEEP RIVER]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|FRESH WATER CREEK]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|GRANTS WORK]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|MACHACA]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|MANATEE]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|MANGO CREEK]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|MAYA MOUNTAIN]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|MONEY CAYE]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|MOUNTAIN PINE RIDGE]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|SITTEE RIVER]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|SIBUN]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|SWASEY BLADEN]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|TERRA NOVA]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|CAYE CAULKER]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|VACA]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|SILK GRASS]

[|Tropical Wings Nature Center] is located in the Cayo District of Western Belize. About 6 miles west of San Ignacio, it's just east of San José Succotz, about 1/4 mile from the hand-operated ferry to the Ancient Maya site Xunantunich. There is an interpretive center with exhibits and videos on insects, birds, and tropical ecology and a screened butterfly house, 42'x60'x21', spotlighting a wide variety of free-flying butterflies native to Belize.

Press Releases
[|Belize Unveils a $13.5 Million Sustainable Tourism Plan Set to Begin Mid-2009] Belize City, Belize – January 29, 2009

The Government of Belize (GOB) has committed to a four-year, $13.5 million dollar plan to promote and practice responsible tourism development in the country. The new sustainable tourism initiative outlines infrastructural projects that focus on the long-term preservation of Belize’s stunning natural resources, as well as developments in four of the country’s more popular tourism destinations, including San Ignacio in the Cayo District, Placencia in the Stann Creek District, San Pedro on Ambergris Caye and Belize City.

"Our focus is to help build Belize as an emerging destination in a responsible way, thereby setting the tone for future developments and advances throughout the country," said Tracy Panton, Director of Tourism for the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). "The initiatives presented in Belize’s new plan will promote sustainability and foster mutually beneficial relationships between residents and investors."

In Belize City, infrastructural developments will include a pedestrian link from the cruise ship port to the city’s downtown area, allowing locals to benefit from cruise tourism; as well as re-surfacing of the street, installation of wider sidewalks, lighting and landscaping. In Placencia, a natural disaster management plan will be put into place, along with the construction of an extended pier, allowing visiting yachts and boats to dock and access the area. In San Pedro, an outlet mall will be built on the western side of the town, which will create new jobs and local opportunities for growth. And, in San Ignacio, the sustainable tourism projects will focus on improving accessibility to, and preservation of, key archeological sites. In addition, a town cultural center will be developed to help tourists access all the services San Ignacio has to offer.

http://www.belizemediacenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=110&Itemid=136

Home to over 600 species of birds, Belize offers some of the best bird-watching in the world. And, the national parks of Belize are great places to begin the adventure. With 66 percent of the country still forested, viewers can easily spot upwards of 50 species in a single outing. The following are some of the best places for bird-watching in Belize.
 * __Bird-watching__**
 * **Half Moon Caye Natural Monument**: Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, which is situated in the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, is a beautiful bird sanctuary which was established in 1981 to protect the Red-footed Booby bird. Frigate birds, along with 97 other species, have been recorded on this small caye. Also on the island, bird watching platforms offer visitors amazing views high above the trees.


 * **Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary**: Created especially for resident and migratory birds of Belize, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is located 30 miles northwest of Belize City, just off of the Northern Highway. With inland lagoons and swamps, this amazing area supports a widely diverse population of birds, such as the massive Jabiru Stork, whose wingspan stretches to 12 feet.


 * **Mountain Pine Ridge**: Three hundred square miles of forest make-up the magnificent Mountain Pine Ridge preserve, which is located south of the Western Highway in the Cayo District. Home to rare bird species such as the Orange-breasted Falcon, Rufous-capped Warbler and the Pine Siskin, and natural wonders such as the spectacular Hidden Valley Falls and Rio Frio Cave, this reserve is a must-see for anyone in the region.


 * **Blue Hole National Park**: The beautiful Blue Hole National Park offers even more than the rare Keel-Billed Toucan, Red-Legged Honey Creepers and White Hawks that make their homes here. It also houses magnificent geological wonders, such as a sinkhole formed by a collapsed underground river channel. And, the steps of the Blue Hole lead into a 25-foot deep pool of cool turquoise water, surrounded by dense forest and hanging vines.


 * **Five Blues Lake National Park**: The 10-acre Five Blues Lake National Park is surrounded by over 4,000 acres of limestone hills and tropical forests, and is home to 217 different species of birds. Forest trails crisscross throughout the park, leading to the caves and sinkholes that dot the landscape. As the first national park to be managed by a community-based organization, the park features camping sites and quaint bed & breakfasts established by local Belizeans for guests of the area to enjoy.


 * **Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary**: Located off the Southern Highway in the Stann Creek District, the breathtaking Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is situated among the shadows of the beautiful Maya Mountains. Originally established in 1984 as a jaguar preserve, it is now home to an extensive population of birds, mammals and reptiles.

The following are some of the exotic birds that enthusiasts can expect to find in Belize’s tree tops:
 * **Mayflower Bocawina National Park**: Experts have found 238 different types of birds in the lush jungle of Mayflower Bocawina National Park, which covers 7,000 acres of land. Motmots, great green macaws and toucans inhabit this jungle paradise located in the Stann Creek District, right off of the Southern Highway.
 * **Keel Billed Toucan**: The national bird of Belize is easily recognized by its large bright colored bill, black feathers and yellow/green breast. Toucans live in holes found in the trees of Belize’s rainforests, and fly in flocks of six or more.


 * **Harpy Eagle**: This is one of the world’s largest eagles, and has talons similar in size to a grizzly bear’s, and a wing span of up to seven feet. Harpy eagles usually nest in large areas of untouched rainforest, but will venture into the open to prey on meals of sloths, monkeys and other animals.


 * **Heron**: Herons are waterbirds, with long legs and necks, and come in a wide range of colors such as blue, gray, green, red and white. Two very sought after types of heron, the Agami and the Boat-billed heron, are found in Belize year-round


 * **Scarlet Macaw**: This brightly colored species of parrot was once common in the pet trade; so much so, that it is now endangered. Macaws find sanctuary in the forests of Belize, and can fly up to 35 miles per hour. These picky eaters prefer certain types of tropical fruits, and will search vast areas of the forest to find specific plants.

In addition to the magnificent Maya ruins that dot the Belizean countryside, the country has spectacular caves, reserves and sanctuaries which provide endless opportunities for exploration. The list below contains just a few of the amazing hiking sites Belize has to offer:
 * **Motmots**: The Blue-Crowned Motmot is a small, popular bird in the country, and is easily recognized by its long tail that is said to resemble a tennis racket. These birds thrive in the rainforest, and live high in the trees just under the canopy.
 * __Hiking__**
 * __Hiking__**
 * **Shipstern Wildlife Nature Reserve**: Located near Corozal, in the northeast corner of Belize, Shipstern Wildlife Nature Reserve contains 32 square miles of forest, savanna and wetlands. These unspoiled habitats of well-known Belizean insects, birds and mammals consist of both hardwood forests as well as the rare Kuka Palm forest, the only dry forest of Belize. A butterfly aviary, botanical trail and natural history museum, along with magnificent trails located throughout the reserve, help tourists to become immersed in and appreciate Belize’s jungle at a new level.


 * **Rio Bravo Conservation Area**: Located just a short ride from the Mennonite community of Blue Creek, the fascinating Rio Bravo Conservation Area consists of captivating tropical rain forests, which hold over 200 species of trees and 12 endangered animal species. An incredible variety of animals also inhabit the area, including Belizean cats like jaguar and puma, howler monkeys and deer. Neighboring Blue Creek also houses around 400 species of birds, including the national bird – the Keel Billed Toucan.


 * **Hokeb Ha Cave and Tiger Cave**: This cave located a 20-minute hike from the village of Blue Creek, and is accessed by swimming into the opening through a pool of cool water. Inside, visitors find stalactites and stalagmites, leading from one chamber to the next. Archaeologists have found many Late Classic ceramics, as well as an altar inside the cave, leading them to theorize that the Hokeb Ha cave was used specifically for ceremonial purposes. The calm water at the main entrance is perfect for a leisurely swim, and the one-of-a-kind view inside makes this a must-see.

One of the underlying principles that guides the Belize Tourism Board is that sustainable tourism is a shared responsibility of the government of Belize, the private sector, civil society and the cruise lines. Each major stakeholder group has the ability to influence sustainable tourism in Belize, and, by working together, the stakeholder groups can increase the opportunities for positive impacts on tourism to help to ensure the long-term maintenance, protection and preservation of Belize’s natural heritage.
 * **Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary**: Southwest of Dangriga is the admired Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, consisting of 128,000 acres of extensive tropical trails and featuring the largest concentration of wild cats in the world. Known as one of the best areas in Belize for experiencing authentic jungle life, the Cockscomb Basin, situated at the base of the peaking Maya Mountains, was established in 1984 to protect its large population of wildlife that call it home. Lucky visitors will catch a glimpse of a jaguar, while most will encounter just their paw prints, along with numerous species of medicinal plants, mammals and birds which populate more than 20 miles of trails. Visitors to the Cockscomb Basin can also enjoy scenic views of the towering waterfalls, and explore via canoe, tube or kayak in the surrounding rivers and creeks.
 * __**Sustainable Tourism Initiatives:**__
 * __**Sustainable Tourism Initiatives:**__
 * __**Sustainable Tourism Initiatives:**__
 * 1) **World Heritage Alliance**
 * [|Overview and goals of WHA]
 * [|WHA Belize Members]
 * [|BTB role in conservation and protection of WHA Site]
 * [|Belize World Heritage Sites]
 * [|Threats to our World Heritage Sites]
 * [|Steps to preserve and conserve the WHA Site]


 * 1) **International Centre for Responsible Tourism - Belize**
 * [|About ICRT-Belize]
 * [|Current Partners]
 * [|Objectives of ICRT-Belize]
 * [|ICRT Conference] ||

Elsewhere on the Web http://www.expatbelize.com - " **In Mayan tradition there is a greeting which is In Lak'ech which means** "I am another yourself" (A modern day interpretation) and also means "I am you, and you are me" (A traditional Mayan interpretation). This Mayan greeting is an honoring for each other and a statement of unity. What few understand is that In Lak'ech is not only a honorable Mayan greeting. It is a moral code. It is a way to live, with ALL forms of life in our world.When one lives the Mayan code of In Lak'ech, we understand that everything we do in this world affects all, either in a positive or negative way, depending on our actions and motivations."

[|Belize - Wikipedia]

Belize Zoo

[|Belize Zoo Director to Discuss SUNY Cortland-Belize Project on Oct. 27] Sharon Matola, director of the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center and an internationally renowned conservation biologist, will discuss her work with the zoo and her fight to save endangered habitats and species on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at SUNY Cortland. Matola’s talk, titled “One Woman’s Fight To Save the Most Beautiful Bird in the World: The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw,” begins at 7 p.m. in the Sperry Center, Room 204.

The zoo, which greets 15,000 school children a year, is one of the premier conservationist organizations operating in Belize. The zoo receives no government funding.

Over the past two decades, Matola and the zoo have become world famous for their focus on the restoration of the Harpy eagle species, the Central American macaw and jaguar habitat restoration. Her efforts to stop a large-scale dam project are documented in the book by Bruce Barcott, Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw: One Woman’s Fight to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Bird. Matola has visited SUNY Cortland previously to give the keynote lecture at the College’s International Education Week.

Created under the auspices of the existing Cortland-Belize Partnership, the Belize Zoo Project was founded on the SUNY Cortland campus to help further develop the zoo. Supported by students, faculty and friends in the community, the project provides SUNY Cortland students and community members with opportunities to complete internships and do other kinds of meaningful volunteer work at the zoo.

“Ms. Matola visited briefly several years ago and not surprisingly was received enthusiastically by the College community,” Pasquarello said. “Given the growing interest in environmental matters and in the kind of volunteerism that students are demonstrating towards the zoo, this is an appropriate and timely visit.”

For a complete list of sponsors and more information about the Belize Zoo Project at SUNY Cortland, visit Pasquarello’s zoo blog at [|TBZBlog.Blogspot.com]. For more information about the lecture or benefit concert, contact Thomas Pasquarello at (607) 753-5772. For more information about the zoo, visit the Web site at [|www.belizezoo.org/zoo/zoo.html].