I'm curious to know peoples thoughts on the Maho Bay situation? Most Islanders know that the land that the Eco Camp sits on is up for sale and Maho will likely close for good in the next year. As I understand it, a non profit group was attempting to buy the property and donate it to the National Park to hopefully be leased out and run as it has been. The non profit's offer was turned down by the land owners that have leased the property to Maho Bay founder Stanley Selengut since he built the camp in the 1970's.That lease is set to expire in 2012 and there is very little chance that it will be renewed since the owners of the land want to take their profit. Their asking price is 6 million more than current market value.

There are many Eco tourists and USVI residents and business' that are very fond of and/or draw some measure of their likelihood from Maho Bay Eco Camps . Some supporters have started a face book page "Save Maho Bay" in an effort to inform and unify supporters and collect ideas for a last effort to save this unique place that has given us all so much. One simplistic idea is this: If we could find 23,000 people to pitch in $1000 or 230,000 people to pitch in just $100 each (you get the idea) then we could buy and save Maho Bay Eco Camps.

I personally have vacationed there 5 times since 2002, most recently to compete in the Beach to beach Power Swim that Maho Bay Eco camps supported by giving 1/2 off lodging for 2 nights and donating custom Maho art for the awards ( just one small example of how Maho Bay supports the community) . I have taken my parents and kids there and my girlfriend volunteers for a month every summer. I would love to take my grand kids there one day as well. Your thoughts, ideas, suggestions would be most welcome. I hope to see you all at the Victory party instead of the funeral for a place whose whole is far greater than the sum of it's parts.....

Cheers, Rob Rogerson