As an international conservation organization, The Nature Conservancy has been active in the protection of the forests and caves of Belize where Dr. Awe investigates ancient Maya archaeological sites. Caves were sacred places to Native American cultures. For the Maya civilization, caves were portals to the underworld, representing both creation and death to the Maya. Staff from the organization’s Tennessee Chapter have recently traveled to Belize to assist local officials in conservation planning and consulting there. Protecting the country’s natural resources is resulting in protection for cultural resources as well, such as Maya relics that remain in the forests and caves of Belize. Nature Conservancy staff discovered this connection when they made the acquaintance of Dr. Awe in Belize in the course of their work there. [...]