Our environment is the sum of the physical, chemical & biotic
(air, water, soil, plants, animals)
factors that act on us as a community and ultimately determine our community's
form, quality of life & survival.

• Our immediate environment is our home and yard.
• Our larger environment is the town or estate we live in, our island, the Caribbean, and the world.

Everything is inter-related, inter-connected, inter-dependent.

Everything we do affects our environment:

• How often & how far we drive our cars
• How we maintain our cars
• The products we buy and use
• What we throw away and how we throw it away
• How we build our houses
• What we do in our yards
• Even what we pour down our sinks or flush down our toilets!

Our economy depends on the allure of our warm sunny climate, sandy beaches, clear, clean water and healthy reefs.

Our health depends on clean air and water and even the aesthetics (or beauty) of our surroundings:

• We depend on clean air, water, roads, beaches, seafood for our health, wealth & emotional well-being;
• We all enjoy the land & sea in some way: gardening, hiking, bathing, soaking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, sailing, fishing, even eating seafood!

We can all chip in to help protect & preserve our environment..

• minimize yard/land clearing & plant trees, bushes and other plants (especially native species);
• keep our cars tuned up & consolidate trips to save gas, money and time;
• buy products in bulk, buy products made from recycled materials & buy less-toxic household products;
• reduce, reuse & recycle;
• don't pour toxic products down the drain or toilet or in the yard..

For more information on environmentally-friendly practices & products, contact EAST or the UVI Cooperative Extension Service or visit the Extension Service website.

Our unique and varied terrestrial & aquatic habitats are our V.I. Natural Treasures. Follow the links below to find our more about our important Virgin Islands habitats & environments:

BEACHES:

MANGROVES:

CORAL REEFS & SEAGRASS BEDS:

GUTS:

FISHING TIPS: