In
its June 2012 publication, Scuba Diving magazine featured Splash Dive Center as
a Sea Hero recognizing the many efforts that the dive center has contributed to
community building and awareness of the marine environment.
Since
2005, Splash Dive Center has organized and led the Splash Kids Club which has
engaged, over the years, about 70 young persons in the protection of Belize’s irreplaceable
marine resources. These youths have
benefited from free Open Water Diver certification and continuing education. Several have achieved Divemaster status,
which as the first professional scuba diving level, puts them on the path to a
career in diving and tourism. All become
committed to the vital importance of the marine environment and its relevance
to the community’s tourism, economy and sustainability.
As
an environmentally responsible player in the conservation of Belize’s natural
and invaluable assets, Splash Dive Center organizes an annual cleanup and
education day at Laughing Bird National Park, a world heritage site. Each year on Earth Day, children from the
communities on the Placencia Peninsula participate in a cleanup of the Park,
supported by many local businesses, the Southern Environmental Association and
the schools. A highlight of the cleanup
day is the presentations on environmental issues by members of the Splash Kids Club. Children to children presentations are very
effective ways to educate our future citizens on the sensitivity and importance
of the environment to the way we interact with Mother Nature.
Not
only is Splash Dive Center enhancing positive youth development and
environmental awareness but also playing an active role in environmental
protection as member of the Placencia Mooring Masters. Through its membership, Splash Dive Center
is the proud sponsor of two mooring buoys installations to protect the reef at
popular dive sites - Laughing Bird Caye National Park and Silk Cayes.
Splash
Dive Center recognizes and accepts its shared responsibility of preserving the
environmental integrity of Belize’s priceless marine resources and even more so
in the advent of the challenges of climate change. A leader by example, Splash stands tall in
supporting community initiatives that promotes marine education, appreciation
and protection. For all these responses
to sustainability in tourism, Splash Dive Center was humbled and honored to be
featured as Scuba Diving magazine as Sea Hero of the Month.