Wider Caribbean

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Wider Caribbean

Environmental Youth Program

Summer 2008

July 7 to 12, 2008

Sponsored by Clean Islands International and others

"Natural History, Ecology and Conservation on Caribbean Islands"

presented at

U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS)

Lameshur Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Six Days/Five Nights Program

Program goals:

· To develop students' appreciation of the natural environment and to stimulate interest in continued learning about the natural history, ecology and conservation of the environments of their home countries and of the Caribbean region.

· To further students' awareness and understanding of ecological processes and conservation issues, specifically those occurring in the Caribbean region, arising from the interaction of humans and the natural environment.

· To facilitate the development of a positive environmental ethic by students, which supports their commitment to conservation of the natural environment and sustainable development for the good of human society.

· To demonstrate and encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly behaviors by students, so that their commitment is translated into positive actions for conservation and sustainable development of their home countries and the Caribbean region.

Program structure:

This intensive program will take place over a six day period, where students will be immersed in activities and experiences which cover the following elements:

· Natural history and ecology of selected Caribbean ecosystems - coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove wetlands, coastal scrub, dry forest and moist forest.

· Conservation issues in the Caribbean.

· Natural resource management strategies in the Caribbean.

· Environmental careers.

The program will consist of field activities in the various ecosystems as well as demonstrations, presentations and discussions.

Target group:

This eco-camp program has been designed specifically to address the needs and interests of Caribbean youth ages 12-18.

Instructors:

VIERS staff, guest professional presenters and local experts have practical experience in conservation biology, marine biology, terrestrial tropical ecology, environmental policy, waste management and environmental education.

Visit to V.I.E.R.S.:

The U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station

Lameshur Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Summer 2008

Six Days/Five Nights Program Agenda

Day 1: July 7 Monday

Students and chaperones will arrive at St. Thomas Airport (STT).

Each participating group will be met at the arrival gate by VIERS staff. After collecting their luggage, each group will take safari taxi through downtown Charlotte Amalie (which is on the waterfront) and then travel across the mountains of St. Thomas to the Red Hook Ferry.

The group will take the Red Hook Ferry to Cruz Bay, St. John.

The drive to VIERS will be along the Centerline Road (Route 10) which has picturesque views of both sides of the island. It is 8 miles to Coral Bay, the second town on St. John. The group will then proceed along Route 107 for another 5 miles. Route 107 is a hilly paved road that has continuous views of the shoreline and many of the British Virgin Islands. At the end of Route 107, the road becomes a rough dirt road, not much more than one lane wide. For about one mile, you travel up some steep switchbacks, over a ridge and down a long steep incline to sea level, and behind a mangrove area before you reach VIERS. Total distance is about 14 scenic miles from Cruz Bay.

Afternoon: An orientation to VIERS will be given by the staff upon arrival.

Dinner will be served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

The group will meet in the VIERS classroom for a review of the program and introduction of all participants.

Day 2: July 8 Tuesday

Breakfast served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

GUIDED WALK AROUND VIERS: Participants will be introduced to the environmentally friendly technologies and conservation practices used at VIERS including solar electric, solar hot water, water conservation, environmental purchasing and recycling.

GUIDED PLANT WALK: Participants will learn about island plants including medicinal plants that local residents have used for generations to relieve the common cold, upset stomach, high blood pressure and many other illnesses. Participants will discuss Caribbean plants and trees in and around the VIERS site and compare names to those in their countries.

GUIDED WALK TO YAWZI POINT: Participants will learn about the unique history of this peninsula and its former inhabitants. Locations of estate buildings in Little Lameshur Bay will be identified along with plants significant to this arid area.

Lunch served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

Orientation to the marine lab.

GUIDED SWIM OR SNORKEL: After safety instructions and a swim test have been given, participants can swim in Little Lameshur Bay, or proceed on a guided snorkel along Yawzi Point which includes fish and marine life identification activities.

Dinner served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

Evening Activities:

Lecture: History of the Lameshur Bay area, Project Tektite (the underwater habitat study in 1969 and 1970), and VIERS (this is VIERS 42^thyear).

Campfire

Day 3: July 9 Wednesday

Morning Breakfast served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

GUIDED SEASHORE WALK: Participants will explore the interaction between land and sea habitats of a fascinating inter-tidal zone during a low tide walk and wade along a sandy beach, rocky coral-strewn beach, small coral flat and mangrove lagoon area.

GUIDED MANGROVE WALK: Participants will explore the world of the mangrove ecosystem and discover the complex diversity of habitats that makes this community so abundant. Students will conduct activities to investigate the unique ecology of this ecosystem. They will also learn about the many values of mangrove wetlands and the threats facing this important ecosystem. Students will conduct a field study in a recovering mangrove ecosystem in Lameshur Bay which was damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and revived by Hurricane Lenny in 1999.

Lunch served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

Activities in the marine lab.

Supervised swim and/or snorkel at Great Lameshur Bay.

Dinner served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

Evening Lessons:

Night walk: Marine life at night as viewed at the VIERS dock.

Group discussion topics:

Conservation Issues and Practices.

Mangroves’ Eco-Systems.

Seashore Habitats.

Marine Life Conservation.

Day 4: July 10 Thursday

Breakfast served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

GUIDED HIKE TO THE PETROGLYPHS AND REEF BAY. Participants will be transported by safari taxi to the top of Boudeux Mountain and hike down the 2 ½ mile Reef Bay trail to the petroglyphs and study forest ecology and conservation issues. As the trail decreases in elevation, the vegetation changes from sub-tropical to arid. The trail includes scenic visas, historic ruins, and ends at a pool (and seasonal waterfall) surrounded by ancient rock carvings of the Taino Ameri-Indians. Participants will learn about the rich history of the island, its peoples and the effects they have had on the natural environment.

Lunch: bag lunch provided.

Participants will be met at the base of the Reef Bay trail by the “Sadie Sea”, a motor yacht. The participants will have a “sea” view of the south side of St. John and visit two marine areas: a mangrove creek and a coral reef, where they can snorkel.

Participants will be dropped off in Cruz Bay at the National Park Visitors Center and have about two hours to visit the town of Cruz Bay.

A tour of the North Shore of St. John will lead the participants back to VIERS.

Dinner served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

Evening Activities:

Group discussion topics:

Preservation and Sustainable Living.

Environmental Ethics

Campfire.

Day 5: July 11 Friday

Breakfast served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

RAM HEAD WALK : This early morning hike begins with a shuttle ride to the head of the Salt Pond trail. The Ram Head Trail, though just a mile long, has terrain which is relatively steep and arduous and can be very hot. The hike includes a stop at a natural salt pond before traversing into a dry cactus woodland and out on top of Ram Head point with its breath taking views of the Caribbean Sea. Along with identification of the unique plant life, the historical significance of the area will be discussed.

Lunch served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

Activities in the marine lab.

Proposed: ISLAND HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL TALK: presented by a National Park Ranger.

Proposed: ST. JOHN ARCHEOLOGY: presented by National Park Archeologist which will feature "Taino Ameri-Indian" artifacts.

Supervised swim and/or snorkel at Little or Great Lameshur Bay.

Dinner served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

Evening Activities:

Each group is invited to make a presentation about their country and environmental issues or concerns.

Day 6: July 12 Saturday

Breakfast served in the VIERS Dining Hall.

Cleanup of cabins and grounds.

Final gathering to discuss program accomplishments.

Lunch: bag lunch provided for trip.

Taxi to Cruz Bay.

Ferry to Red Hook, St. Thomas.

Taxi to St. Thomas airport.

Depart St. Thomas Airport.

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Note: Program subject to changes approved by the Administrator.

To register, please contact

Randy Brown, Executive Director

Clean Islands International and VIERS Administrator

Tel: 1-410-647-2500

E-Mail: linkages@verizon.net