New York, NY "“ (June 28, 2011) "“ Aruba's efforts to preserve its pristine beaches and crystal blue waters continue this July 2 and 3 with the 18th annual Aruba Reef Care Project. With over 900 participants last year, this clean-up of the One happy island's most popular beaches, dive and snorkel sites is the Caribbean destination's largest volunteer environmenta initiative.
Locals and tourists are invited to participate at one of the many sites along the coast from Baby Beach all the way north to Arashi Beach beyond the high-rise hotels. Volunteers collect garbage along the island's white sand beaches while snorkelers and divers plunge into the depths to retrieve trash and debris to protect the diverse marine life and to ensure that Aruba, which hosts more than 40,000 divers each year, continues to hold its spot as the No. 1 Wreck Diving and No. 3 Advanced Diving destination in Scuba Diving magazine's Reader's Choice Awards.
The Aruba Reef Care Project, which started as an initiative to raise awareness of the island's precious marine environment and the importance of its protection, is supported by the Aruba Tourism Authority as well as the island's various resorts, which provide lunch boxes and raffle prizes for volunteers. This annual event encourages locals and visitors alike to participate in the project so that they can continue to enjoy Aruba's picturesque beaches and turquoise waters for years to come.
Aruba's commitment to environmental preservation can also be seen through island-wide programs that include the reforestation of Arikok National Park, the use of the Wind Energy Park at Vader Piet to reduce its dependency on oil, a $6 million project to receive the 'Blue Flag' certification at Aruba's most popular beaches and the efforts by various resorts to work with Green Globe/Earthcheck in order to attain sustainability, with 8 hotels already receiving certification.
For more information on Aruba, please visit online at www.ARUBA.com or call 1-800-TO-ARUBA.
