Cayo conservationist wins Audubon award

He’s nothing if not persistent in his efforts to keep the waterways and communities surrounding them in the Cayo District environmentally healthy. And this week Luis Garcia was recognised with the James A. Waight Conservation Award. Garcia, whose work includes the “Save the Rivers Campaign,” “Village Tours”, and “Health Days”, picked up his trophy during ceremonies in Belize City on Monday night. According to the Belize Audubon Society, which bestows the award annually on deserving conservationists, the James A. Waight award is given in recognition of positive work and tireless efforts in the protection and enhancement of Belize’s environment. Garcia joins the list of other recipients including Henry Fairweather, Lionel “Chocolate” Heredia, and Therese Bowman Rath. Also during last night’s presentation ceremony, there was a special tribute in honour of one of the founding members of the Audubon Society, Father Leonard Dieckman. It was announced that a scholarship fund in his name will be established shortly.