Habitat stewardship in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) is a critical practice due to the territory's fragile ecosystems, which are vital for tourism, culture, and community resilience. Stewardship here often involves a blend of traditional knowledge, community action/education, and modern conservation science.
Let's protect the natural beauty that makes our islands so special. By blending traditional knowledge with modern science, we can safeguard our ecosystems, our culture, and our future.
Invasive Species Removal (Mongoose, Neem, Snake Plant, etc..)
Federal Agriculture
Reforestation and Native Plant Gardening Residents and organizations plant native, drought-resistant, and fruit-bearing trees and plants. This prevents soil erosion on the islands' steep hillsides, provides food for wildlife (like birds and pollinators), and restores natural habitats.
SEA (Southgate)
NPS (Salt River & Buck Island)
DPNR (Altona &EEMP)
SPNWR (Sandy Point & Green Cay)
TNC (Jack and Isaac's/ Goat Hill area EEMP)
Watershed Protection Communities work to protect ghuts (seasonal streams and ravines) from illegal dumping and pollution. Healthy ghuts act as natural stormwater conduits and filter runoff before it reaches the sensitive marine environment.
DPNR
Supporting Sustainable Agriculture Buying local produce from farms that practice soil conservation, water management, and minimize pesticide use helps preserve open land and reduces pressure on developed areas.
VI Good Food Pages (in Viya Telephone Directory)
Southgate Farmers Market (St Croix)
Dept of Ag Farmers Market
La Reine Farmers Market
Coral Reef Restoration: This is a major stewardship activity. Organizations like The Nature Conservancy USVI and Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative train volunteers to help outplant laboratory-raised, resilient corals onto damaged reefs, clean algae from coral nurseries, and monitor reef health.
Responsible Boating and Fishing: Local boaters practice stewardship by
> Using designated mooring buoys instead of dropping anchor, which can destroy coral.
> Adhering to size and catch limits for fish and lobster.
> Reporting illegal fishing activity (pot fishing in marine protected areas, etc.)
> Properly disposing of sewage and trash onshore instead of in the water.
Beach Cleanups: Community groups, schools, and resorts regularly organize cleanups to remove marine debris from beaches. This protects nesting sea turtles (like Greens, Hawksbills and Leatherbacks), shorebirds, and prevents plastic from washing back into the ocean.
Protecting Mangrove Forests: Mangroves are vital nurseries for fish and protect coastlines from storm surge. Stewardship involves opposing their removal for development, planting new mangroves, and avoiding polluting these areas with runoff or trash.
Citizen Science Programs: Residents participate in data collection, which is a powerful form of stewardship. Examples include:
Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring: Trained volunteers walk beaches at dawn during nesting season to identify, mark, and protect nests.
Bird Counts: Participating in annual bird counts (like the Christmas Bird Count) to track populations of local and migratory species.
Coral Watch & Fish Surveys: Snorkelers and divers are trained to identify and count key species, providing valuable data to managers.
Water Conservation: Given the limited freshwater resources, simple actions like installing rainwater catchment systems, using water-efficient fixtures, and fixing leaks reduce the demand on groundwater and the energy needed for desalination.
Reducing Runoff: Homeowners use gravel or permeable pavers instead of concrete, create rain gardens to capture runoff, and minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides on their properties to prevent them from washing into the sea and causing algal blooms that harm coral.
Supporting Conservation Organizations: Donating to or volunteering with local entities like the USVI Division of Fish and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy USVI, Island Green Living Association, or Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service directly funds and enables stewardship work.
Participating in Public Comment: Attending public meetings and providing input on development projects, marine zoning, and conservation plans (like the State Wildlife Action Plan - SWAP) ensures community values are reflected in management decisions.
Advocating for Protected Areas: Supporting the establishment and proper management of designated protected areas, such as Marine Protected Areas and Residential Preserve Zones, which are crucial for long-term habitat health.
In essence, habitat stewardship in the USVI is the understanding that the health of the islands' economy, culture, and community is directly tied to the health of its land and sea. It ranges from individual actions to collective community efforts, all aimed at preserving the natural beauty and resources that make the USVI unique.