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012: Passion for Protecting the Integrity of the Environment
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In today’s episode, I chat with the dynamic Heather Froeming of Tulum. Heather first visited Akumal in 1998 on a diving trip with a college friend from California. She had plans to explore the world, but after falling in love with the area she let her love of adventure and passion for the environment guide her - so she put down roots.
Her first days were spent volunteering for Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA), a non-profit organization which focuses on sea turtle protection and beach monitoring. She helped CEA to start their local recycling program through collection and education programs.
A Less Plastik Lifestyle
Heather spends most of her days in and around the ocean. Over the years, she has seen the trash problem grow and grow. She feels it’s her duty to maintain the health and integrity of the environment. She doesn’t mind seeing Tulum evolve and develop, as long the efforts are sustainable and protection oriented.
The lack of a recycling infrastructure and the on-again, off-again attempts at recycling programs led Heather to create No Mas Plastik. An organization which hopes to educate people about the problems of plastic and the contamination it causes.
Go Fly A Kite (in an Extremely Controlled Manner)
Today, Heather works with the Extreme Control Kiteboarding School. After her boyfriend Marco obtained his kiteboarding instructor status he needed somebody to practice his teaching skills on, a task Heather readily accepted.
Tulum is the perfect spot to open the Kiteboarding School even though the trade winds aren’t consistent. It has a spacious beach, warm water, and conditions which give a student a complete course by testing all of their skills. Plus, the surrounding area has ruins, cenotes, and reserves for the entire family to enjoy.
Why the Riviera Maya?
Variety is indeed the spice of life, and for Heather it’s what keeps her here in the Riviera Maya. She says “You meet people from everywhere around the world here. You kind of travel just being here.”
Secret Gems Only the Locals Know
Even though Heather loves everywhere she visits in Mexico, she has a soft spot for long weekend trips down to Muyil and Bacalar. She also enjoys exploring the Northern Coast the Yucatan Peninsula, near El Cuyo, because of its great conditions for kiteboarding. When she wants some quiet time she is drawn to the less populated beaches of Sian Ka’an.
For amazing cave diving, Heather appreciates the cenote El Jardin del Eden aka Ponderosa. When she is feeling adventurous she goes to a cenote near the Coba ruins which has a 30 foot tall tower you can jump off of into the water.
3 Ways Travelers Can Minimize Their Impact While Visiting the Riviera Maya
- 1. Carry your own reusable bags.
- 2. Ask for your drink without a straw or “sin popote”.
- 3. Use biodegradable sunscreen or no sunscreen.
Use these Resources to Continue Your Journey:
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