Signature Speaker Series: Science Talk: Heather Barrett: Birds, Chocolate, Forests

October 13, 2026: Science Talk and Speaker Information

"Birds, Chocolate, Forests:
How Discoveries in the Rainforests of Southern Belize
Sparked a Conservation Bridge to Virginia"

Guest Speaker: Heather Barrett,
Deputy Director of Belize Foundation for Research Environmental Education (BFREE)

Topic:

‍The Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE) Privately Protected Area and Biological Field Station lies at the foothills of the Maya Mountains in southern Belize, adjacent to the Bladen Nature Reserve: one of the world’s most intact tropical wilderness areas. For over 30 years, the field station has supported scientific research, environmental education, and conservation in this extraordinary landscape. This presentation follows two remarkable discoveries: a rare bird and a rare tree, which launched complementary, long-term research and conservation programs.

The rediscovery of the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), a species thought to have been extirpated from Belize for more than 60 years, led to an avian research program that documented the species while generating critical data on Neotropical migratory bird movements along the Eastern Flyway. The program mapped geographic lifelines connecting Belize’s tropical wintering grounds with North American breeding corridors, including migratory hubs such as Waynesboro, Virginia.

The identification of an heirloom variety of Criollo cacao (Theobroma cacao), an exceptionally rare cultural and biological resource, inspired BFREE staff to establish experimental cacao agroforests to investigate whether cultivated forest systems could provide habitat and foraging opportunities for migratory birds facing rapid habitat loss across the flyway. The work explored how cacao production might support local livelihoods while maintaining ecological connections within the forest landscape.

Together, the stories of the Harpy eagle and Criollo cacao demonstrate how global partnerships, local capacity building, sustainable livelihoods, and flyway-scale conservation can protect forests and the species and communities that depend on them.

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Speaker:

Heather Barrett is the Deputy Director of Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE) whose mission is to conserve the biodiversity and cultural heritage of Belize. Over the fifteen years Heather has worked with BFREE, her role has evolved and she currently helps lead the organization while splitting her time between western NC and Belize. Heather is passionate about education and manages all BFREE’s educational programs. Much of her energy is dedicated to empowering future conservation leaders through work training, outreach and professional development opportunities.

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