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.
EPIC colleague and valuable team member Anderson Jean was awarded the prestigious Stanford University Bright Award in a ceremony on the Stanford campus, California in June 2023.
Drinking water is never taken for granted on a Caribbean Island, and in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) access to clean, affordable drinking water can be a struggle. That’s why EPIC is celebrating the Water Smart Schools USVI Program.
Enjoy the first in our new e-guide series about the Caribbean region, EPIC’s “Top 10 Coolest Caribbean Creatures!” E-guides are a fun way to learn, appreciate, and share information about the region’s most interesting natural and cultural heritage. We hope it will inspire YOU to support and respect the unique Caribbean.
A recent expedition to Dominica, as part of EPIC’s ongoing efforts to find new Black-capped Petrel nesting locations, was aided by a sniffer dog named Africa and her handler. Sniffer dogs can be trained to find all sorts of things, including burrow-nesting birds like petrels. Yet, two hundred years ago in Dominica, pet dogs used by colonists led to the disappearance of petrels who were hunted for food. Will dogs that once hurt the petrel population on Dominica be the helpers that discover their elusive nesting grounds so that they can be protected in the future?
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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