Did you fall in love with the aquatic realm the first time you went underwater? If you're like most divers, your first experience meeting and greeting the denizens of the deep most likely left a lasting impression - and sparked a deep sense of caring about the health of our ocean planet.

On a more practical level, the commitment of divers to environmental conservation helps preserve dive sites around the world -- so divers like you can return to favorite sites year after year.

The PADI organization recently introduced a new program – the PADI Green Star Award^TM - that assists PADI Dive Centers and Resorts in identifying their environmental footprint and offers them a range of actions they can take to lessen any negative effects.

About the Award

PADI Dive Centers and Resorts who have earned the Green Star Award demonstrate a dedication to conservation across a wide range of business functions, including (but not limited to):

• Water conservation
• Energy use
• "Environmentally friendly" transportation practices
• Optimized waste management
• Use of sustainable materials
• Conservation leadership
• Paperless interactions with their PADI

So, be sure to look for the PADI Green Star Award logo at your PADI Dive Center or Resort.