If you have ever thought about traveling outside of the USA for birding but were a bit nervous about doing so, this may be the talk for you!

If you are an experienced international birder but not been to Belize or want to go back and are looking for a new place to bird, this may be the talk for you!

If you just like seeing new birds and new places that you may never have the opportunity to visit, this talk may also be for you…

Belize is a small Central American country that is very friendly to eco-tourism. English is widely spoken and there is an especially well-organized birding tourism infrastructure that even a novice birder or infrequent international traveler can navigate. Larry and Paula McKinney recently spent two weeks exploring the western jungle and mountains of Belize. The birding was exceptional and thanks to careful planning and great travel expeditors, food, lodging and transportation were exceptional. Larry and Paula will share their trip through photos and include tips on how to make sure your international birding travel can be just as exciting, satisfying and safe!!

About Our Speaker: Dr. Larry McKinney is currently a Board Member and Director of Policy at Palacios Marine Agricultural Research. Larry received his PhD in Zoology from Texas A&M University in 1976. He retired as the Senior Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi after 17 years of service. Prior to joining HRI, Dr. McKinney directed environmental and aquatic programs at Texas Parks and Wildlife, retiring after 23 years of service.

Larry served on the Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Committee (former chair), and the Consortium for Ocean Leadership’s Policy Committee. He has served as a member and chair of the Texas Sea Grant Advisory Committee, NASA’s SSC Applied Sciences Steering Committee, the EPA Science Advisory Committee for the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Alliance’s Ecosystem Assessment and Integration Team, and the Texas Academy of Science, where he is also a past President.

As a biologist, Larry has had an interest in birds since college, but he developed a great interest in bird photography as he and his wife, Paula, began to bird-watch together more than a decade ago.