Organizers of the Terra Ay Ay project are calling on St. Croix residents, particularly those in the mid-island and western regions, to volunteer for air sensor installations and water and soil testing as part of a community-driven effort to monitor the island’s environmental health.
The project offers free installation of air sensors and testing to a limited number of homeowners, farmers, and backyard growers. These efforts are part of the Terra Ay Ay initiative to collect and share data on St. Croix’s air, water, and soil quality, using a citizen-science approach. Local students, teachers, and volunteers are trained to install a network of 15 PurpleAir sensors and conduct over 100 tests of residential cistern water, well water, and soil.
The data, once collected, will be published anonymously on the Terra Ay Ay website, providing the community with a reliable resource to make informed decisions regarding health and environmental impacts. The testing will focus on neighborhoods in mid-island and western St. Croix, areas that have experienced significant industrial and environmental challenges in recent years.
Homes and farms in neighborhoods like Adventure, Clifton Hill, Golden Grove, and Upper Love are among the areas targeted for testing. Residents in these communities who are interested in participating can contact the project team via email at terraayay@gmail.com or call 340-727-6597.
The Terra Ay Ay project is led by the St. Croix Foundation, along with environmental organizations such as CHANT (Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism), SEA (St. Croix Environmental Association), and Virgin Islands Good Food, in partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the project was developed in response to the environmental pollution and health impacts caused by the 2021 refinery incidents on St. Croix.
Frandelle Gerard, Executive Director of CHANT, highlighted the importance of the project, saying, “We have all lived through environmental incidents that have affected our health. Now, with Terra Ay Ay, we can collect our own data to monitor these impacts.”
The project’s website features a real-time air quality map, showing data from PurpleAir sensors tracking dust, smoke, pollen, and other particles. The site will also host data from future water and soil testing.
“Access to real-time information empowers our community,” said Sommer Sibilly-Brown, Executive Director of Virgin Islands Good Food. “With this data, we can hold our officials accountable for ensuring policies that protect our environment and health.”
In addition to gathering vital data, the project aims to foster environmental stewardship by involving local students and volunteers in its work. Jen Valiulis, Executive Director of SEA, noted, “We hope this project sparks an interest in environmental sciences and empowers the next generation to become advocates for our island’s health.”
Terra Ay Ay continues to expand its network of citizen scientists, ensuring the community plays an active role in protecting St. Croix’s environment and public health.
