LEE’S REEF PROJECT in conjunction with SUNSET WATERS BEACH RESORT and SUNSET DIVERS has found significant community and international support for this effort. It is the right project at the right time. As a forum for local communication and effort, we are in a unique position to bring many divergent interests together to preserve this fragile, yet vibrant eco-system. Through education and cooperation, preservation is possible.

The local enthusiasm, which we have already seen, gives me cause to believe that we have a real chance for success. I invite you to browse the pages which describe our efforts: swim and snorkel classes offered to children of this community have begun; community meetings are beginning; empirical studies of the reef have also been initiated.

KIDS FOR CORAL (the snorkeling program resurrected by our intern) is now run by local volunteers.

EXPEDITION STA. MARTHA is our primary school science curriculum. The field trips are intended to teach the children of the region about the environmental treasures of their island. Our curriculum is to be tested by the Don Sarto School of the Sta. Marta Bay region starting Fall, 2004.

BAN TOPA’s are our community outreach meetings intended as a forum for community education and as a platform where the diverse interests that use the reef may discuss and develop workable community reef protection solutions.

LEE’S REEF PROJECT is working towards the goals of local and international environmental protection through the development of a sustainable, co-operative system which protects both the environment and the communities sustained by the bounties of the reef and bay.

I encourage you to contact me or the Lee’s Reef Project field office with your comments and help us to meet our goals. The support and co-operation of fishermen, divers, resort staff and guests and the local community have already demonstrated the great possibilities of our projects.

Preservation is indeed possible, but only through co-operation.

Sincerely,


Ricki B. Harris