Winnie Burkett was introduced to birding at age four by her grandmother.  She grew up looking for birds in the wetlands of South Florida and attended Florida State University.  Moving around the country with her petroleum geologist husband gave her the opportunity to get to know birds and habitat around the US while raising three sons. In 2011 Winnie retired from her position as sanctuary manager for Houston Audubon where she was instrumental in the addition of 1800 acres to the Houston Audubon sanctuaries on the Bolivar Peninsula. Winnie’s main interests and concerns are waterbirds and waterbird habitat protection.