What do Australia and Belize and have in common? More than you might think, actually, and not the least of which is a pressing need to protect their stunning great barrier reefs; the world’s largest and second largest, respectively.

Mr Young, who is also a licensed naturalist guide at the Lodge at Chaa Creek, which maintains the Centre, said that the decision was the result of a suit brought about by Oceana, Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA), and the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage.

Today’s photo of the day is the Amazing Belize Barrier Reef which straddles the coast of Belize – roughly 300 meters offshore in the north and 25 miles in the south. The Reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals and is one of the most diverse ecosystems of the world.

Belize is proud to have the longest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere. But in 2010, the tiny country faced a huge problem — the potential loss of the reef’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Already under threat from coastal development, pollution and climate change, the reef’s species were being depleted by bottom-dragging fish trawlers.

CNN International has named the Great Blue Hole of Belize a top diving site in the world. According to the Belize Tourism Board, the famous Blue Hole is being recognized as the seventh best spot among fifty locations in a story written by Jade Bremmer.

It would be a privilege to visit another land that has taken the time to put the ecosystem before the financial gain of tourism. I have visited home a few times since I moved up north and Key West is not like it was 21 years ago when I was fifteen years old. Many corporations and chain restaurants moved in slowly and changed the vibe of the island and along with it they have tampered with the nature of the island.

I want to be an eco kid. I want to help wipe Belize’s tears away. I want to learn more about why rainforests are important. I want to learn how our reef protects Belize and how we can protect our reef. By learning more, I can play my part as a ten year old child to help keep Belize clean, environmentally healthy and safe. I can teach other young people and adults different ways to protect Belize and wipe away her tears. As an eco kid I can learn how to protect Belize for many generations to come, and keep Belize beautiful from reef to rainforest.

Belize is unlike much of the rest of Latin America in that English is spoken here by the majority of people rather than Spanish. It is more politically stable than the rest of Latin America and in general it feels more like a Caribbean island than a Latin one. Infrastructure here is improving rapidly but presently there still remain just three main roads. Chaa Creek still has a wonderful range of accommodation with gorgeous thatched cabanas and villas. It has a spa with full use of the canoe privileges. So check out Belize as a holiday destination and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Our adventure began almost four years ago now when we went on our first date. He disguised it as a Christmas present, “in case it didn’t go well.” We have been dating ever since, and are getting an apartment together next month. This past June, he completely surprised me while on a trip to Philadelphia, PA when he pulled out the engagement ring he had been hiding in his room at home for about a month. We are currently planning a fall wedding, October 8, 2011.

For the horse ride, the horses were in excellent condition, the saddles and helmets were in great shape and our guide knew a lot about horses, the areas we went through and he even took us to a pyramid. The same was try for the canoe trip. Yes all of these were included and they were excellent.