Best Green Adventures: Eco-Success

From an article by Costas Christ on the Web site of National Geographic:

Thirty years ago ecotourism was just an idea. Now it's going mainstream.
Here are ten places where it's making a difference—one trip at a time. . . .

Belize: Reef Revival
The Mesoamerican Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, bends an aquamarine elbow at Gladden Spit, 26 miles (42 kilometers) off Placencia, Belize, creating an underwater Serengeti. "I used to anchor in one spot with my father, and in less than half a day we could fill the boat with 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of fish," says Lindsay Garbutt, 47, of Monkey River village. But as commercial fishing depleted the seas nearby, Garbutt and local fishermen formed Friends of Nature to protect the reef and support sustainable fishing (friendsofnaturebelize.org). Gladden is now a marine reserve where critically endangered Nassau grouper and massive schools of snapper continue to spawn. This is also one of the few places on Earth where divers and snorkelers can predictably swim with whale sharks; the elusive giants arrive like clockwork during full moons from April to June.

Do: Cay-hop by kayak among deserted coral islands ($1,380; toadaladventure.com); dive with whale sharks ($150; belizescuba.com).
Sleep: Sea Spray Hotel ($50; seasprayhotel.com); Turtle Inn ($335; www.blancaneaux.com)

Christ also recommends destinations in Brazil, Dubai, Canada, and Kenya. He puts Gabon, Laos, and Ireland on a list of tipping points and places Turks and Caicos and
Greece on a watch list.