Virgin Islands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. (VI RC&D)

V.I. RC&D Receives 2008 EPA Environmental Quality Award!
St. Croix International Year of the Reef Committee Selected for 2009 EPA Environmental Quality Award!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

V.I. RC&D needs volunteers at the ESTATE ADVENTURE NATURE TRAIL to help remove downed limbs and hurricane debris from the trail, prune hurricane-damaged trees, repair damaged wooden bridges, and build a new bridge (see St. Croix Source article for hurricane Omar damage details). Volunteer or student groups are asked to please contact Mr. Olasee Davis at 692-4053 / odavis@uvi.edu or the V.I. RC&D Office at 692-9632 x5 / vircd@usvircd.org for details.

Want to be part of the pollution solution in the V.I.? Install a Rain Garden on your property to help reduce flooding and pollution of our coastal waters. Visit the V.I. RC&D Rain Garden Demonstration Project at the V.I. Waste Management Authority Green House Program, located on Centerline Road in Estate Lower Love, St. Croix (immediately west of the St. Croix Educational Complex) or check out our Rain Garden page for details.

The Virgin Islands Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. (V.I. RC&D) helps people in the territory plan and carry out activities that increase conservation of natural resources, support leadership development, and enhance the environment and standard of living in our communities. Because V.I. RC&D is locally organized, sponsored and led, the Council provides an ideal way for residents to join together to decide what is best for our community and islands.

V.I. RC&D Awarded $2.8 Million NOAA Habitat Restoration Economic Stimulus Grant to Reduce Watershed Runoff and Protect Coastal & Marine Habitats!
The Virgin Islands Resources Conservation & Development Council is the recipient of over $2.7 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for its proposed Virgin Islands Watershed Stabilization project. Under the ARRA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided a total of $167 million to 50 habitat restoration projects across the country to restore damaged wetlands, shellfish beds, coral reefs and reopen fish passages that boost the health and resiliency of the nation’s coastal and Great Lakes communities. The goal of the Virgin Islands Watershed Stabilization project will be to reduce sediment runoff into 3 USVI watersheds [East End Bay on St. Croix and Coral & Fish Bays on St. John] through road paving, installation of erosion & sediment control practices, native plantings, beach access restrictions and monitoring, she said. By reducing or preventing sediment runoff into those watersheds, we also protect the sea turtle nesting habitats on both islands. V.I. RC&D is delighted to be one of 50 recipients of the highly competitive grant program. NOAA received an astonishing 814 proposals, totaling more than $3 billion in project requests. The strong interest clearly demonstrates a growing demand to improve the condition of the nation’s coasts and the economy. V.I. RC&D and its partners estimate that this project will support 26 jobs in the USVI. For more information, visit: NOAA Recovery Act Awards Press Release NOAA Recovery Act funds NOAA Recovery Act Restoration Atlas Recovery Act programs

V.I. RC&D is successful because it provides people with the means to solve environmental problems and promote sustainable use of natural resources at the local level. V.I. RC&D was created and organized by local people, who define our own goals and work with a broad range of public and private entities to achieve our objectives. Local people make the choices for the community - whether we work on land conservation & water management, land management, community development, or something unique to our particular area. In every case, local people are making the difference.

Surf our website and check out our upcoming activities, learn more about V.I. RC&D and its projects & programs, download our outreach materials, and search for environmental information specifically related to the Virgin Islands. V.I. RC&D sponsors the St. Croix Environmental Repository, the Recycling Association of the Virgin Islands, the St. Croix International Year of the Reef, is a member and sponsor of the Virgin Islands Network of Environmental Educators (VINE), and provides fiduciary services to local community groups, associations and researchers.

V.I. RC&D gets things done. Whether it's working with natural resource issues or community development, V.I. RC&D brings people together to accomplish the goal. And this is being done across the territory. So take a look around, you're sure to see the difference that V.I. RC&D is making!

V.I. RC&D is an independent, locally-directed, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that was incorporated in June 1990. The U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Natural Resources Conservation Service provides administrative, technical, and financial support to the Council. Our membership represents local and federal agencies, community groups, non-governmental organizations and individuals who volunteer their time and resources to enhance the quality of life for the Virgin Islands community. We encourage you to Join the Council and volunteer your time and resources to make things happen!