Environmental Protection In The Caribbean Incorporated

Sint Maarten Conservation - The locally led affiliate EPIC Sint Maarten is addressing waste disposal issues on the island through the Perpetual Plastics program, which takes plastic waste and converts it into usable items, while also educating the public about ways to reduce and reuse plastics. Sustainability is also promoted through the international Blue Flag and Green Key eco-labels, which are awarded to businesses that meet stringent environmental criteria. Regular litter cleanups get volunteers involved in improving coastal habitats while also raising awareness about the pervasive problem of litter. Habitat improvements also include native plant restoration and establishing secure nesting sites for seabirds while using outreach to increase concern for native flora and fauna. In addition, researchers are monitoring remnant bat populations to determine threats and management actions for conservation.

Water Smart Schools US Virgin Islands - A grant-funded project supported EPIC to collaborate with partners in the U.S. Virgin Islands on the Water Smart Schools VI program which completed its second year. It is a comprehensive drinking water safety and waste reduction program that was made available to seven public schools. Activities included the distribution of water quality testing kits for classrooms and facilitation of the Water Heroes water quality testing curriculum and the USVI Marine Debris curriculum, including participation in Eco-Schools, a school environmental audit, the opportunity to receive bronze level certification, and ongoing educational support. The goals achieved included increased access to clean safe drinking water for Virgin Islands school children, teachers and staff, reduced amount of plastic waste generated in schools, specifically through the reduction of plastic water bottles, increased literacy and awareness for Virgin Islands school children, teachers, and the wider community about issues of water quality and testing, water conservation and pollution, sources of freshwater, and plastic waste, including impacts on health and the environment.

The Grenadines Seabird Program - is protecting the highly significant seabird breeding populations in the transboundary archipelago of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, covering a total of 74 sites, including 3 sites of global significance and 18 significant to the Caribbean. Seabirds are experiencing worldwide populations declines estimated at 70% so addressing the impacts of poaching, plastic pollution, and introduced predators is essential. This program focuses on research, monitoring, education, and conservation planning and action, such as habitat improvement. A total of 70 citizen scientists are currently trained as members of the Grenadines Seabird Guardians, a group that monitors populations at remote, uninhabited islands. Trainees include law enforcement personnel who learned how to use drones for environmental monitoring in addition to improving their seabird identification and survey skills. The program has reached over 3,000 outreach participants with demonstrated increases in knowledge, concern, and pride regarding seabirds. Research has included invasive species surveys, use of a thermal imaging camera on a drone to count nesting seabirds from the air, and GPS trackers placed on Red-footed Boobies to determine crucial foraging habitats.