Friends of V.I. National Park Marks Earth Day with Community Activities and Student Fair

The Friends of Virgin Islands National Park’s 14th annual Earth Day celebration will take place in Franklin Powell Park on Friday, April 21, following a week of coastal cleanups and tree giveaways.  The theme this year highlights the need for marine conservation and coral reef preservation.

Friends of Virgin Islands National Park

“In the midst of the many challenges in the world of conservation, the focus that Earth Day provides a wonderful reminder that much of what we do is focused on embracing a love of life, believing in possibilities, and working towards a hopeful future,” said Tonia Lovejoy, executive director of Friends. “It is an opportunity to excite and engage our youth who are the environmental stewards of the future, and celebrate the passion and support of some 30 organizations and businesses who share our belief that lots of small actions add up.”

Each year, Friends puts together the annual environmental fair for St. John school students focused on learning how to work and live sustainably in the Virgin Islands. The Earth Day Fair kicks off with a Litter Stomp Parade led by VI. Waste Management’s Litter Critter with a pizza party prize for the class in each school with the most creative Litter Stomp Crew.

Booths at the fair hosted by community organizations, businesses and UVI students cover subjects as diverse as coral reef protection, Cruz Bay history, birds, plants, turtles, recycling and mangrove protection.  This event is attended by students at St. John schools and includes a Junior Ranger Award ceremony and recognition of the waste management workers.

Earth Day is made possible thanks to partners and sponsors: Liberty Foundation, Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, USVI Sports, Park and Recreation, Cafe Roma, USVI Tourism and Virgin Islands National Park.

Earth Week Event Schedule

Saturday, April 15

  • Beach Cleanups across the island | 9 a.m. to noon
    • Drunk Bay Beach | Friends of the Park.  Meet at 9 a.m. in the Salt Pond Parking Lot
    • Princess Bay | VI Expedition Company.  Meet at 9 a.m. at Princess Bay.
    • Cruz Bay Beach | Low Key Watersports.  Meet at 9 a.m. in front of their store.

Tuesday, April 18

  • Trail Crew Volunteer walkup program | Marine debris staging on shoreline | 8 a.m. | Meet at NPS Maintenance Lot at 8 a.m. or Cinnamon Parking Lot at 8:30 a.m. | Debris will be picked up by our crew and Dulce Vita Sails later in the month.

Wednesday, April 19

  • Annual Tree Giveaway | 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | NPS Visitor Center pavilion | 400 trees available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thursday, April 20

  • Trail Crew Volunteer walkup program | Marine debris staging on shoreline | 8 a.m. | Meet at NPS Maintenance Lot at 8 a.m. or Cinnamon Parking Lot at 8:30 a.m. | Debris will be picked up by our crew and Dulce Vita Sails later in the month.

Friday, April 21, Earth Day Fair and Litter Stomp Parade

  • Earth Day Fair and Litter Stomp Parade | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Franklin Powell Park

This event is attended by students at STJ schools and includes a Litter Stomp Crew Competition, Junior Ranger Awards and Waste Management Recognition

Saturday April 22 | Earth Day

  • Beach Cleanup | Get Trashed St John and Unitarian Universalist Church | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Hawksnest Beach.

Visit the Friends Earth Day page on the website for the Earth Week schedule, a list of the booths and participating organizations and more — https://friendsvinp.org/earth-day/