St. George Botanical Garden Welcomes 450 Students for 32nd Annual Eco-Fair

By Diana Dias
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The St. George Botanical Garden on St. Croix welcomed 450 students Tuesday for the 32nd annual Eco-Fair. Hosted by the St. Croix Environmental Association, the fair entertained third to sixth-graders with various engaging activities throughout the day.

Students from the Lew Muckle Elementary School read to fellow classmates at the Eco-Fair hosted at the St. George Botanical Garden Tuesday. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

“The purpose of the Eco-Fair is to teach basic environmental science concepts through active, hands-on activities,” said Olivia Walton, education coordinator for the St. Croix Environmental Association. “Hosting the event at the St. George Botanical Garden is the perfect setting.”

Students from Juanita Gardine K-8 participate in a recycling relay race hosted by the Good Hope Country Day School. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

“It showcases many of our native plants and animal species, and the kids get a chance to be outside the classroom and in nature, not only learning about it, but physically being in it and exploring it,” Walton added.

Baby coral swim to demonstrate how they move, a demonstration by the Nature Conservancy’s Coral Innovation Hub. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The St. Croix East End Marine Park sets up exhibits to explain sea creatures and coral reefs. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

New to the agenda this year were a puppy petting station, yoga sessions with Yogi Mandi, and a kite-building activity by CMCArts. “I wanted to incorporate a little more arts and wellness,” Walton said. “I think it’s important to highlight the benefits of being outdoors for students’ health.”

Yogi Mandi leads students in a short yoga session, encouraging mental health in the environment at the Eco-Fair. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

The lessons presented at Eco-Fair aim to increase students’ environmental awareness and encourage them to discover solutions they can implement themselves.

CMCArts hosts a kite-making class using coconut fronds. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

“One of my personal goals and part of our mission is for every student on the island to have a meaningful experience outdoors, so they form a relationship with this place they call home. Learn it, love it, and know how to protect it. It’s going to take all of us to protect our natural resources and environment. Getting them exposed to this at a young age and helping them become passionate about it is really important,” said Walton.

The Water and Power Authority conducts a presentation to students at the Eco-Fair Tuesday. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Ruff Start STX allows students to pet a couple of cute puppies. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

Schools that attended included Alfredo Andrews Elementary School, Ricardo Richards Elementary School, Eulalie Rivera K–8, Good Hope Country Day School, Juanita Gardine K–8, Lew Muckle Elementary School, Pearl B. Larsen School, Reading Rainbow School, St. Croix Montessori, and local homeschoolers.

Students listen to a discussion about plants at the Eco-Fair. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Students learn what to do if they see a sea turtle by the STX Sea Turtle Project. (Source photo by Diana Dias)

Participating agencies and organizations included the St. Croix Environmental Association, CMCArts, UVI Cooperative Extension Services, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, STX Sea Turtle Project, VI Water and Power Authority, UVI School of Agriculture, National Park Service, VIWMA, The Nature Conservancy, VI-EPSCoR, DPNR Coastal Zone Management, CORE Foundation, Inc., the STEAM Club of Good Hope Country Day School, Ceiba Strategies LLC/Thriving Islands, St. Croix Seashell Society, YogiMandi, VIDE Curriculum and Instruction Division: Division of Sustainability & VI Cultural Education, RePlastic, VI Energy Office, Ruff Start STX, Terra Ay Ay Project, Bush Tribe Eco Adventures, St. Croix East End Marine Park, and the Elder Council of St. Croix Virgin Islands.