By Catherine Winter-Hebert / Source: Inhabitat

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Award-winning actor and staunch eco-activist Leonardo DiCaprio is launching a new project: transforming a small island off the coast of Belize into an eco-resort and conservation area. He purchased the 104-acre Blackadore Caye with a partner nearly 10 years ago, and recently teamed up with NYC-based Delos developer Paul Scialla to create the luxury resort, which is slated to open in 2018. The plan is to make this a “restorative island”, which refers to both calming effect it will have on visitors, and how the island itself is being replenished.

Blackadore Caye has suffered from overfishing and coastline erosion over the years, the latter of which has been exacerbated by the over-harvesting of its native mangrove and palm trees. Since the island is so close to San Pedro, the palm trees on the Caye have been uprooted to decorate hotel grounds in the city, while fishermen have cut down the mangroves to smoke their fish on the island before heading back to the mainland to sell their wares.

Read more @ Inhabitat