Southern Environmental Association (SEA) and Splash Dive
Center observed Earth Day, under the theme, Mobilize the Earth: Living Green,
at Laughing Bird Caye National Park on April 29, 2012. More than 120 students from the community
schools in Placencia and the surrounding area, friends of Splash volunteers and
event organizers visited the World Heritage site for their seventh annual Earth
Day Clean Up.
After the warm welcome and brief orientation on house rules,
the elated volunteers got busy with their yearly tradition of garbage
collection on the picturesque island. Students, teachers, organizers and
friends of Splash Dive Center meticulously combed the 1.4 mile long island for
garbage while taking in all the sun and sand on the coconut dotted caye.
After garbage collection, earth day observers gathered under
the large palapa for cool refreshments, fruits, and a delicious plate of Rice
& Beans made available through the kind sponsorship of the local businesses
and community. Fellow student peers delivered vibrant presentations on the
fascinating history of Laughing Bird Caye, the ecological importance and the
social and economic impact this has on the sustainability of Belize’s tourism.
An active day of environmental awareness would not be
complete without a delightful swim in the clear waters of the island. Students
enjoyed the last segment of day splashing and playing in the magnificent sea.
SEA and Splash Dive Center thanks all those in the community
who generously supported the Earth Day Clean Up initiative in making it another
year’s successful event.
- · Southern Environmental Association
- · Splash Dive Center
- · Robert's Grove Beach Resort
- · Chabil Mar Luxury Resort
- · The Placencia Hotel
- · Miramar Apartments
- · Sea Spray Hotel
- · Paradise Resort
- · Joy Tours
- · Trip & Travel
- · Wendy's Restaurant
- · Myrtle's Kitchen
- · Wallen's Market
- · Every Day Super
- · Ming's Super Market
- · Placencia Producer's Co-op
- · Barefoot Rental
- · Tipsy Tuna
- · Sunova Gift Shop
- · Eworth Garbutt
- · Emelina Vernon
- · Jeanine Leslie
- · David Perez
Efforts like these provides a good opportunity to educate
the future of this community on the ecological and economic importance of
maintaining and protecting Belize’s natural heritage while actively
experiencing the charm of the natural jewel.
Splash Dive Center and SEA continues to encourage the
community to consider the expansion of this sort of first-hand experience of
healthy reefs clean up campaigns to other needed areas. Essentially, Splash
Dive Center supports the belief that Earth Day may be observed every day in
both small and large ways.
“Living Green,” has never been more important but Earth Day
provides an opportunity to take a moment and appreciate its growing importance
in sustainability.
