The mission of the Environmental Association of St. Thomas and St. John is to:
To achieve 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-gazing parties, 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 hosted the Radio show "Naturally Speaking" on WVWI, Radio One and published a quarterly newsletter that was bulk-mailed to our membership.
EAST
works to promote responsible legislation that will protect our islands' fragile
natural and cultural resources and rich biological diversity. By consistently
reviewing applications for development projects and testifying at public hearings,
EAST encourages and advocates protection measures to minimize adverse environmental
effects. Also, in the past, EAST has worked closely with the Department of Planning
and Natural Resources in reviewing and updating 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. Preservation and restoration
of our fragile environment — the main attraction for our tourism industry,
the territory's primary economic resource — is crucial for our long-range
economic stability, ecological
and recreational health, and quality of life.
Chapter of the Virgin Islands Conservation Society (VICS)Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
