Coral in Focus USVI staff lead a tour on the day of their grand opening © Marjo Aho
Supporting Education
The Nature Conservancy is restoring coastal and coral habitats across the Caribbean and building capacity among students, communities and governments in marine conservation. In St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, we lead one of the world’s most extensive coral restoration initiatives from our state-of-the-art Coral Innovation Hub. Here, we are catalyzing leading coral science and training the next generation of Caribbean conservationists.
At The Coral Innovation Hub we are:
- Hosting annual field trips for 6th grade classes to the Coral Innovation Hub where students are exposed to the practice of coral husbandry and learn about the many ecosystem services that coral reefs provide.
- Supporting youth snorkel clinics to increase Virgin Islands youth’s access to the aquatic world.
- Working with local environmental partners to support community outreach and education events such as St. Croix Environmental Association’s annual Eco -Fair which host hundreds of elementary students and introduces them to environmental work and activities being done across the territory.
- Collaborating with local high school teachers to offer career conversations and volunteer opportunities for budding scientists.
- Funding fellowships for recent USVI high school graduates and college students to come to the lab and participate in restoration activities. Fellows are trained in basic maintenance procedures for aquaculture facilities and participate in research experiences to help them throughout their academic journeys.
- Providing full tuition for 1-2 graduate students in Marine and Environmental Science at the University of the Virgin Islands and a year of applied experience at the lab.
- Facilitating Community Days at our lab to share information about coral and marine restoration, climate resilience, and other science, featuring fellows and interns.
Education at the Hub
Building a Sustainable Future
Looking ahead, TNC is committed to building a more resilient U.S. Virgin Islands in the face of climate change by strengthening coastal habitats like coral reefs. Working with our partners, we aim to restore reef ecosystems in the U.S. Virgin Islands so that the majestic reefs of only a few decades ago are not just a memory but a reality within our grasp. Through this work, along with protecting the islands’ waters and diverse wildlife, The Nature Conservancy will help preserve biodiversity, safeguard shorelines and sustain livelihoods for the benefit of nature and people in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Latest News
TNC USVI Coral Innovation Hub Receives NOAA’s Research Center Designation
This designation is a huge milestone in recognizing the innovative coral conservation work done by TNC in the USVI.
TNC Caribbean's Coral Impact Hubs; Saving the Heart of the Sea
TNC Coral Innovation Hubs are based on collaboration with local organizations which are already making an impact in coral conservation around the Caribbean. TNC is helping to scale up these efforts.
TNC Participates in U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting
Our teams in Puerto Rico and the USVI convened in beautiful St. Croix for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting to discuss priorities for coral conservation.