“Chocolate” honoured by Audubon

For at least three decades he has been a familiar face on the waters off Belize City, Caye Caulker and all points in between. On Sunday the Belize Audubon Society finally took the opportunity to honour Lionel “Chocolate” Heredia for his life long dedication to Belize’s environment. Heredia received the society’s James A. Waight Conservation Award, specifically for his educational activities and advocacy for the official protection of Swallow Caye and its numerous manatees. That area was put under government protection in 2002. The James A. Waight award, named after Audubon’s first president, was first presented in 1987 and since that time has been given annually.