VIMAS on the island of St. Croix

The UVI Wetlands Reserve is a 52 acre wetland area owned by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and managed by UVI’s Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES). It is set aside as a wildlife reserve and for non-destructive educational and research activities. The Reserve is located just east of the Hovensa Oil Refinery on the island of St. Croix.

The UVI Wetlands Reserve has been recognized locally and federally as an ecologically important area. Several bird species that are listed as federally or locally endangered use the site. The Reserve provides year-round habitat necessary for the feeding, roosting and nesting of a diversity of birds. The site has been known to natural historians on St. Croix since the 1920’s because of the wealth of bird life, particularly wading birds and ducks.

Marine debris not only pollutes our waters and beaches, but also is responsible for the death of thousands of sea creatures every year. In an effort to reduce the amount of marine debris in the territory's waters, VIMAS coordinates local Coastweeks Cleanups, in conjunction with The Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. These programs not only raise awareness of our waterways, but also gather valuable information about marine debris in the Virgin Islands that is used by law and policy makers both locally and around the world.

Mangrove areas are important to animals and people alike. Mangroves provide essential habitat for many species, from birds, to fish, to crabs. They also protect our coastal habitats from sedimentation, trapping eroding soils and runoff before they can smother sea grass beds and coral reefs. In addition, mangroves are also able to absorb pollutants from the water and soil. Hurricanes and illegal land clearings have severely damaged many of the territory's mangrove forests. VIMAS is currently involved in projects to restore these important habitats.

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) originates from many sources including vessel wastes and rainfall runoff from diverse areas such as construction sites, streets and parking lots, homes, farms and agricultural fields, and illegal dumping of wastes. NPS is the predominant form of pollution in the Virgin Islands. To combat NPS, VIMAS is continuing with a public education program to target students from K-12. Education is the key to controlling NPS, and by targeting the youth of the Virgin Islands, it is our goal to help define the behaviors of our future policy makers.

VIMAS is actively involved in establishing a baseline of data on the status of coral reefs within the Virgin Islands. Our near shore reefs continue to suffer from excessive nutrients and sediment from uncontrolled storm water runoff. Our monitoring projects allow us to track trends and evaluate the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) aimed at reducing Nonpoint Source Pollution, coastal erosion, and misuse of island and reef resources.