Mission Statement

The mission of the Environmental Association of St. Thomas and St. John is to educate the community about environmental concerns, encourage greater awareness of the value of our natural and cultural resources and to advocate responsible methods for environmental conservation and preservation.

To help our mission, EAST offers educational programs, events and activities for the community throughout each year. In the past. EAST has sponsored hikes, whale watches, star panics, and beach clean-ups. Whenever possible, EAST strives to work in partnership with other local conservation organizations or agencies (i.e. The Nature Conservancy's Virgin Islands Program and outreach arms of The University of the Virgin Islands) to further spread our unified message of natural resource protection. In the past, EAST has hosted the Radio show "Naturally Speaking" on WVWI, Radio One. In addition, EAST publishes a quarterly newsletter which is bulk mailed to our membership four times annually.

EAST works to promote responsible legislation that will protect our island's fragile natural resources and rich biological diversity. By consistently reviewing applications for development projects and testifying at public hearings, EAST encourages strong protection measures to minimize environmental damage and promote sustainability EAST worked closely with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources in reviewing and revising the proposed Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan. If passed, this plan would eliminate the current two-tier system that the Virgin Islands has in place for major and minor development permits. It would establish a single tier for all development projects and enforce the ideal that any development-- whether in the coastal zone or upland of our islands-- is going to impact the quality of our surrounding waters. Virgin Islands waters are rich in biodiversity with vibrant coral reef communities scattered around our shorelines, salt ponds, and mangroves as well. It is because of our fragile environment-- being the main attraction for our tourist industry and the territory's primary economic resource-- that it is crucial for our long-range economic stability as well as our ecological and recreational benefits, that we protect our natural environment.

Affiliations:

Chapter of the Virgin Islands Conservation Society (VICS)

Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)