 At
the end of 1998, Belize became the 108th signatory of the Ramsar
Convention, and the first wetlands of international importance this
country placed on the Ramsar list was the Crooked Tree Lagoon Area,
located 33 miles northwest of Belize City.
This area provide excellent opportunities
for observing Belize's magnificent wildlife. The protected area
was created in 1984 primarily to preserve resident and migratory
birds, and consists of a network of inland lagoons, swamps and
waterways that shelter the new world's largest flying bird, the
jabiru (jabiru mycteria.)
This sanctuary and five more protected areas
are administered by the Belize Audubon Society (BAS), an NGO promoting
sustainable use and preservation of natural resources in Belize
in order to maintain a balance between people and the environment.
BAS was created in 1969 as an international chapter of the Florida
Audubon Society, but became completely autonomous in 1973.
For more information visit their web page
at
http://www.belizeaudubon.org/
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