Legal purpose of Cuba travel
If you join one ornithological study tours in Cuba, you will be traveling to Cuba for humanitarian purposes. The data we collect on our tours supports ornithological and other environmental study projects, and this information is used to support our environmental education programs in Cuba. We have provided well over thirty tours in Cuba in the last three years, and all of them would pass the bar set by the latest (May 2019) U.S. federal regulations on Cuba travel.
Every time we go into the field, we collect data on bird diversity (the number of individuals, species and locations) and our emphasis is often on those species which are threatened. We often collect other biological and environmental information as well.
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Data collected over on the last 3 years (image, video, species distribution, counts, and more) have also helped us on the development of the three upcoming publications. These publications include (1) A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba, (2) the British Ornithological Union (BOU) Annotated Checklist, and (3) the second edition of the Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba. These publications are written by two of our birding field guides in Cuba. These books are useful for visitors to Cuba and for others to support their environmental research and education efforts.
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The database collected during our surveys has been used by important environmental organizations such as American Bird Conservancy and Birdlife International, whenever it has been needed.
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We have been had recognition from several bird conservation organizations (such as Birdlife International) for our efforts on the conservation and protection of bird species.
We are involving the Cuban people in our environmental education programs and are building community involvement in these programs each time we go into the field. We have included school teachers, reserve and national park staff, conservation professionals, private individuals (and including those involved in providing services on our tours) and children and other Cuban citizens.
We also work to promote small-scale private enterprise. We have always had preference for small-private owned B&B and private lodges, and we do not do business with the military controlled enterprises. Our transportation provider promotes eco-tourism in Cuba, providing opportunities for drivers and other staff the opportunity to earn a living wage. All of our meals are provided by small family-owned restaurants. We also use local bird guides in Cuba, providing additional economic opportunities for these entrepreneurs.
Our environmental projects support the education and of the Cuban people about their natural resources and increase the awareness for nature conservation. The economics of our Cuban tours promote private enterprise in Cuba.