Commonwealth Sport British Virgin Islands (CSBVI) partnered with the Centre for Applied Marine Studies (CAMS) at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) to support a mangrove planting as part of a Commonwealth Sport Caribbean-wide tree-planting initiative to mark Commonwealth Day celebrated on March 9. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience across the Caribbean region.
“Every year, Commonwealth Sport aims to undertake an activity that has a lasting impact on our communities,” said Mr. Ephraim Penn – who is both President of CSBVI and Regional Vice-President for Commonwealth Sport Caribbean. “Our collaboration with the HLSCC Centre for Applied Marine Studies was a perfect demonstration of partnership in meaningful action against climate change while creating a greener future for our communities.”
The activity brought together high school students and community members to participate in the planting of mangrove seedlings grown through HLSCC’s Mangrove Nursery programme. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to restore coastal ecosystems across the British Virgin Islands following the significant loss of mangroves during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
Mangroves play a critical role in protecting shorelines from erosion and storm damage while also serving as nursery habitats for juvenile reef fish and other marine life. They also help improve water quality and store carbon, making them an important component of climate resilience efforts in the Territory.
According to Ms. Suzan Zaluski, Head of Marine & Maritime Studies at HLSCC, the Mangrove Nursery was established in response to the widespread destruction of mangrove ecosystems caused by the hurricanes.
“The facility grows approximately 2,000 mangrove seedlings each year which are planted at degraded mangrove sites throughout the BVI,” she explained. “It provides a unique opportunity for community members to work alongside scientists and resource managers to restore coastal habitats that benefit the entire Territory.”
Since launching in 2020, the programme has collaborated with numerous community groups and schools to plant mangroves across several islands, including Tortola, Beef Island, Frenchman’s Cay, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, and Virgin Gorda. The initiative also works in partnership with the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands, which utilizes seedlings from the nursery to support restoration efforts in protected areas such as Prickly Pear Island and Sandy Cay.
The event also highlighted the importance of engaging young people in environmental stewardship. The Mangrove Nursery programme currently serves more than 350 local youth each year, providing opportunities for students and early-career professionals to participate in hands-on conservation activities.
Through initiatives like this, both CSBVI and HLSCC aim to inspire the next generation to take an active role in protecting the Territory’s natural environment.
Community groups and schools interested in participating in future mangrove planting or educational visits are encouraged to contact the HLSCC Mangrove Nursery programme for more information.
