Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)
is an independent non-profit founded in 2000 with the mission of protecting the Caribbean environment through research and community-based actions.
Thank you to our donors, volunteers, and staff for the many hours of work that included monitoring remote seabird colonies in the Grenadines, rebuilding a recreational birdwatching hut on Sint Maarten, and teaching children about healthy watersheds in Haiti. These inspiring activities continued during 2021, which was a very challenging year as we all navigated the effects of a global pandemic. Read our 2021 Annual Impact Report to learn more.
Researchers have confirmed a sighting of an Endangered Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata), known locally as “the Diablotin bird,” in flight over Dominica earlier this year. If nesting is confirmed, Dominica would be the second known nesting island for Black-capped Petrel in the world.
Earth Day press coverage of EPIC in the Daily Herald: the leading newspaper for St. Martin and the northeast Caribbean.
Dominica, West Indies – In May of 2007, a bus driver was leaving the Dominican village of Trafalgar heading towards the capital city of Roseau. Passing through the village of Padu, he noticed an odd-looking bird on the road. Curious, he stopped and got out to have a look. Upon closer inspection, this was a bird he had never seen in Dominica before. Something was off about this bird, perhaps it was injured or stunned in some way, so the bus driver picked the bird up, put it on his lap, and continued his bus route to Roseau.
Anderson Jean
One of the leading conservationists in Haiti, and a trained agronomist, Anderson understands the importance of a balanced ecosystem. A natural leader, he confidently guides EPIC’s Black-capped Petrel conservation program in Haiti to implement sustainable farming, educate the next generation of farmers, and monitor the status of one of the few known breeding colonies of this endangered seabird.
Lystra Culzac
Born and raised in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Lystra earned a MS in Conservation Biology from the University of Kent. Inspired to protect her home’s natural heritage, she returned to found Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and Education (SCIENCE). As Lead Educator for EPIC’s Grenadines project team, she’s been instrumental in inspiring the community to take action to save seabirds.
Laura Bijnsdorp
Laura’s passions for travel, art, and environment have led her all over the world but she always returns home to Sint Maarten, where she was born and raised. Working with EPIC since 2015, Laura has led efforts to educate and encourage island stewardship throughout the community. Laura continues to contribute to EPIC’s mission as an Associate.
Vaughn Thomas
Vaughn is a fisherman, sailor, and tour operator born in Grenada and living in Carriacou. His knowledge of and love for seabirds grew from his work with the Grenadines Seabird Guardians, a citizen science group started by EPIC. Vaughn’s sea experience and local knowledge has helped enable their surveys, train new members, and aid the implementation of a Seabird Conservation Action Plan.
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