Short Summary

• I'm Lisa, a marine biologist and educator living in Belize. I formed an NGO called ReefKeeper Belize to teach local kids about the reef and to inspire them to care for and protect it. 
• Forty-percent of Belize's economy depends on the second largest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere, yet fewer than 1 in 10 Belizean children ever get to see the reef.
• The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is experiencing extreme threats from hurricanes, plastic pollution, coral disease, coral bleaching, overfishing, and development. 
• By getting kids out to the reef and having them plant mangroves on nearby islands, we keep the reef! Each mangrove is home to 75% of young reef fish and protects the reef and mainland from hurricanes.

What We Need & What You Get

• We want to serve 200 children in 6 months, $50 sponsors one child for a reef field trip.
• Our unique perks include turban shell jewelry and keychains, made by a local artist.
• Each $50 goes directly to sponsor a child who will send you a postcard from their trip!

The Impact

• Each child will experience a sincere, life-changing opportunity to protect the reef.
• During the trip, students may plant a mangrove. Mangroves increase habitat for coral reef fish and protect the reef and mainland from storms.
• These trips inspire underserved and indigenous children to open their minds to new careers, giving them a sense of hope and opportunity to take action.

Risks & Challenges

Our main risks and challenges are hurricanes that can destroy the reef and mangroves, create economic devastation, and disrupt schools. Students plant 5 times more mangroves to ensure the plants survive, and we plan around the hurricane season. The good news is that mangroves do reduce the impact of hurricanes and serve to protect the reef from strong waves that can break coral.

Other Ways You Can Help:

• You can always share this campaign to you friends using the Indiegogo share tools!
• You can do your part to save the reef:
  • refuse plastic, recycle and reduce plastic consumption; fix car leaks, minimize fertilizers and pesticide use; wear reef-safe sunscreen, avoid touching or standing on corals, and plant a tree or mangrove.