Seas & Scenes Photo Contest Is Now Closed
EPIC’s second annual Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest is now closed, with 609 photographs submitted—nearly double last year’s total. Thank you to everyone who shared their view of the Caribbean!
Enter Now! Seas & Scenes Photo Contest Returns with $3,000+ in Prizes and 12 Chances to Win
The 2026 Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest opens August 1. Get ready to share the Caribbean through your lens for 12 chances to win from a prize pool valued at more than $3,000—or join the fun by voting for your favorite images.
Protecting Critical Wildlife in the Grenadines
A major conservation effort is underway in the Grenadines as EPIC and partners take action to restore fragile island ecosystems impacted by invasive species. Through a targeted and carefully managed goat removal operation, this work aims to protect native vegetation, stabilize habitats, and support the recovery of critical seabird nesting areas.
Honoring the Founders Who Built EPIC
After more than two decades of impact across the Caribbean, EPIC recognizes the founders who built the organization into what it is today. As Natalia Collier and Adam Brown step back from their day-to-day roles, their legacy lives on through the conservation work, partnerships, and communities they helped shape.
Blue Flag Returns to St. Maarten’s Marinas
Sustainable tourism in St. Maarten reaches a new milestone as two major marinas earn the prestigious Blue Flag certification. Now, with EPIC once again leading these programs locally in partnership with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the island is continuing to invest in sustainable tourism.
Introducing the 2026 Caribbean Resiliency and Climate Conversations Webinar Series
The 2026 Caribbean Resiliency and Climate Conversations Webinar Series brings together experts and organizations from across the region to share practical solutions for climate resilience. Explore upcoming sessions, watch past webinars, and register to join the conversation.
Helping Restaurants Reduce Waste
Across the U.S. Virgin Islands, restaurants are reducing waste through the VI Clean Coasts Eco-Certification program. EPIC has expanded outreach and communications, launched a new Eco-Certification webpage with an interactive map, and helped connect businesses to resources and funding to adopt sustainable, cost-effective practices that protect local communities and coastlines.
Students in Sint Maarten Learn Through Nature
Students across Sint Maarten are gaining hands-on environmental education through classroom lessons and field visits to Fort Amsterdam. Through EPIC’s BESTLife2030 project, students explored seabird ecology, planted native species, and observed the island’s important pelican colony, building a deeper understanding of local ecosystems and conservation in action.
Seabird Conversations in Bequia
Conversations with fishers, community leaders, and residents in Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are shedding light on changing traditions and emerging threats to seabirds across the Grenadines. Through community meetings and local observations, EPIC gathered insights on seabird harvesting, shifting vegetation, and environmental changes affecting nearby offshore cays, highlighting the importance of combining scientific research with local knowledge to protect seabird populations.
EPIC’s 2025 Digital Annual Impact Report Is Now Live!
EPIC’s 2025 Digital Annual Impact Report is now available. Explore key conservation milestones, community partnerships, and regional impact stories from across the Caribbean.
2025 EPIC IMPACT: A Year of Continued Support for EPIC International
With sincere gratitude, EPIC recognizes the individual donors, corporate supporters, and mission partners whose generosity supported EPIC International initiatives from mid-2024 through all of 2025. Their contributions make it possible to advance conservation, education, and community-driven environmental work across the Caribbean and beyond.
2025 EPIC IMPACT: A Year of Continued Support for EPIC Sint Maarten
Celebrating the individuals, businesses, foundations, and institutions whose continued contributions, sponsorships, and grants supported EPIC Sint Maarten projects from mid-2024 through 2025. Thank you for helping advance conservation, education, and community impact on Sint Maarten.
Stewarding the Future: A Fisherman’s Journey
Celebrating 25 Years! Fisherman Vaughn Thomas grew up reading the ocean through seabirds and weather. After joining EPIC’s Seabird Guardians program, he began to view the islands as a connected ecosystem where wildlife and livelihoods rely on one another. Today he is one of nearly sixty trained Guardians who help protect seabirds and support community conservation across the Grenadines.
25 Years of EPIC: From Our First Grenadines Surveys to Today’s Restoration Work
As EPIC marks 25 years of conservation, we reflect on more than 16 years of work in the Grenadines, where our first surveys inspired the restoration and research efforts still shaping the islands today.
International Coastal Cleanup, Sint Maarten
More than 80 volunteers joined International Coastal Cleanup Day at Little Bay Beach, removing 2,397 pounds of trash while logging every item to guide year-round action. The result is a community win and a warning, underscoring the need to cut single-use plastics and strengthen waste management on Sint Maarten.
Winners Announced! – Caribbean Choice Awards all throughout October
Throughout October, the spotlight is on the Caribbean Choice Awards, celebrating this year’s standout images from the Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest 2025. Each week, new winners are being revealed across EPIC’s photo contest winners page and social media – one story, one image, and one perspective at a time.
Meet the Photo Contest Judges and See ALL 315 Photos Submitted
We are honored to introduce the distinguished judging panel for the successful Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest 2025. This accomplished panel brings together photographers, conservationists, and cultural storytellers—
Surprise Discovery of a Black-capped Petrel on Dominica
When a juvenile Black-capped Petrel appeared at a cable car station in Dominica, it wasn’t just a surprise—it was a breakthrough. With fewer than 2,000 breeding pairs remaining, this unexpected sighting offers new hope for one of the Caribbean’s most endangered seabirds and supports over a decade of EPIC-led efforts to locate nesting sites beyond Hispaniola.
VI Clean Coasts Expands to Focus on Green Restaurants
The VI Clean Coasts program is expanding to support restaurants, food trucks, and charter boats across the USVI. With new local coordinators, strategic partnerships, and a custom green certification in the works, we’re helping food businesses cut plastic and embrace sustainability.
Restoring Simpson Bay Lagoon and Fort Amsterdam Habitat, Sint Maarten
From mangrove planting in Simpson Bay Lagoon to building safe nesting platforms for threatened seabirds, EPIC and partners are revitalizing key ecosystems in Sint Maarten. With support from volunteers and sponsors, recent efforts also enhanced Fort Amsterdam, the last nesting site for the island’s national bird. These community-led projects are safeguarding coastal biodiversity and protecting vital habitats for future generations.
Successful Drone Training Session hosted by EPIC Grenadines
A hands-on drone training hosted by EPIC Grenadines is helping local conservationists protect remote island ecosystems. Led by GIS specialist Cornelius Lyttle and in collaboration with multiple national agencies, the training enhanced regional capacity for environmental monitoring. Drones are now being used to track seabird nesting, detect invasive species, and capture stunning aerial footage for outreach and science. This initiative is part of a larger restoration effort supported by Deepwater Horizon NRDA funds and key partners like USFWS and SCIENCE.
Transformative Three-Year Eco-Schools Project in USVI Wraps-Up
Celebrating the successful completion of the Eco-Schools “Water and Waste Smart Schools” project, which aimed to build capacity within U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) schools and the community for safe, clean, and affordable drinking water. Over three years the program empowered more than 5,500 students and 150 teachers to become water stewards through…
Your Support Powers EPIC Work – For Wildlife, People, and the Planet!
As EPIC’s fiscal year draws to a close on May 31, we’re celebrating the progress made in protecting Caribbean wildlife and communities. From Haiti to coastal islands, your support fuels critical conservation efforts. Help us finish strong with a gift today.
Tackling Pollution through the Virgin Islands Clean Coasts Initiative
A newly funded project in the U.S. Virgin Islands is helping businesses reduce single-use plastics and other pollutants in the food service industry. Led by VICS in partnership with EPIC, DPNR, and the EPA, the Clean Coasts initiative provides technical assistance, certification programs, and education to promote sustainability and protect marine ecosystems.
Seabird Habitat Restoration Project Launched in St. Vincent & the Grenadines
EPIC has launched a seabird habitat restoration project in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, focusing on critical nesting sites on Battowia and the Pillories islands. These islands support important seabird populations threatened by habitat loss and invasive species. Through habitat restoration, species monitoring, and community engagement, this initiative aims to protect seabird colonies and strengthen conservation efforts in the Grenadines.
2024 EPIC IMPACT: Community Engagement Leads to Long-term Conservation Gains in Haiti
2024 EPIC IMPACTS- Considering the numerous environmental issues and impacts in the Caribbean, it might seem like nearly a decade of work focused on an endangered seabird, the Black-capped Petrel, could have limited scope. But Adam Brown, Black-capped Petrel Program Manager at EPIC, has seen it transform an entire community. Brown’s team efforts to protect the Black-capped Petrel—one of the rarest seabirds that nests high in Haiti’s mountains—sparked
a movement…
2024 EPIC IMPACT: Caribbean Climate Justice Camp
“The Climate Justice Camp Caribbean has sparked an unparalleled sense of solidarity among movement builders and activists in our region. It’s been amazing to witness people, many of whom are new to such events, embracing the crucial need to unify in the Caribbean. Seeing these interactions unfold in the heart of my community, Sint Maarten, adds an extra layer of significance to the work. We’re not simply facing the climate crisis; we’re rewriting the narrative of our collective futures for our islands,” said Riddhi Samtani, Climate Change Advocate and EPIC Associate about the first-ever Caribbean Climate Justice Camp.
2024 EPIC IMPACT: Welcome Back Hotel and Marina Eco-Certifications
Sint Maarten’s Green Key and Blue Flag internationally recognized eco-label programs have started back up again through the initiative of the EPIC Sint Maarten Foundation. Officially serving as the National Operator through the program administered by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the goal is to promote sustainable tourism and protect the island’s natural environments, including beaches, coasts, and waterways.
2024 EPIC IMPACT: Caribbean Seabird Census
Avian biologist and EPIC co-founder Natalia Collier continues to advocate for a pan-Caribbean seabird census as a member of the BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group. This partnership program has succeeded in coordinating researchers and citizen scientists across the region to contribute data on seabird breeding colonies, which play a critical role in the health of marine ecosystems. This is crucial for understanding the health of Caribbean seabird populations, which have declined dramatically in recent decades.
2024 EPIC IMPACT: Water and Waste Smart Schools
More than 4,000 students from 7 public schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands participated in the interactive science curriculum called Water Heroes and received free reusable water bottles through a grant-funded partnership between EPIC and the Virgin Islands Conservation Society’s Eco-Schools program.
2024 EPIC IMPACT: Turning the Tide on Plastic Waste In St. Maarten
“Plastic pollution is everyone’s problem,” says Fleur Hermanides, President of the EPIC Sint Maarten Foundation and architect of the Perpetual Plastics Program. The Perpetual Plastics Project marks a groundbreaking effort to tackle the island’s waste crisis.
2024 IMPACT: Exciting News for Caribbean Seabird Conservation!
2024 EPIC IMPACT – A landmark development in EPIC’s seabird conservation is the funding secured through the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Settlement. The catastrophic 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico impacted migratory seabirds that traverse the Caribbean, potentially leaving long-lasting ecological scars. Under the settlement, EPIC will receive ~$700,000 over five years to restore critical seabird habitats in the Grenadines.
2024 EPIC IMPACT: Banner Year for EPIC Sint Maarten Support
With our gratitude, the EPIC team wants to recognize the following people and institutions for supporting amazing and impactful projects by the EPIC Sint Maarten Foundation this year. THANK YOU!!
Hurricane Beryl Leaves Grenadines in Ruins
EPIC is rallying support to help the communities in the Grenadines recover after the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl. With over 95% of homes damaged on some islands and essential boats destroyed, the need for aid is urgent. Your donation can make a real difference in restoring livelihoods for fisherfolk, tour operators, and others who rely on these boats. Together, we can help the Grenadines rebuild and thrive. Donate now to support the cause.
Black-capped Petrel Added to the U.S. Endangered Species List!
The Black-capped Petrel has been officially listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a major step forward in conservation efforts. This status under the Endangered Species Act brings heightened protection, focused conservation initiatives, and increased collaboration to ensure the survival of this remarkable bird. EPIC is proud to be part of this journey, working with local communities to protect habitats and promote sustainable practices. Join us in celebrating this milestone and supporting efforts to protect the Black-capped Petrel!
Driving Future Conservation Through Internships
EPIC is dedicated to supporting the next generation of conservation leaders through internships. These opportunities provide hands-on experience in projects like wildlife monitoring, marine debris management, and tackling climate change impacts. Our interns bring fresh perspectives and energy, playing a crucial role in our mission to protect the Caribbean environment. By investing in young talent, EPIC ensures a future of skilled professionals ready to tackle environmental challenges.
Welcome Our Summer 2024 Interns
This summer, EPIC is excited to welcome two exceptional interns. Their dedication and innovative approaches to environmental conservation in the Caribbean are already making a significant impact on our projects. We look forward to seeing their continued contributions throughout the season.
EPIC Closes it’s 24th Year in May – HELP US END THE YEAR STRONG!
As EPIC concludes our 24th year of delivering world-changing conservation programs and projects, it’s inspiring to see the tangible, positive benefits of the work that we do. This fiscal year we…
EPIC Co-Hosts First-Ever Caribbean Climate Justice Camp
The first-ever Caribbean Climate Justice Camp for 120 community leaders from more than 25 Caribbean nations was hosted by EPIC, EPIC Sint Maarten, Roots, and many collaborators on March 28-31 on Sint Maarten. The successful event built knowledge and networks, included the sharing of stories and skills, and the co-creation of strategies to address conservation challenges faced by the region.
Perpetual Plastics: Recycling, Educating, and Engaging
With the Perpetual Plastics Project, EPIC Sint Maarten is creating a community-based solution for the significant single-use plastic problem by offering on-island recycling via a social workspace.
Field Work And Training Completed For The Sint Maarten Terrestrial Biodiversity Assessment
As part of the Coastal Resilience and Needs Assessments project (CORENA), over 300 species were observed during a 12 day biodiversity assessment in St. Maarten with the objective to provide information to guide sustainable habitat management and responsible future development.
Epic Welcomes New Program Manager Delroy de Lain
Please welcome Mr. Delroy de Lain who has joined the foundation Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Sint Maarten under contract as Program Manager, where he will coordinate a variety of research, education, and conservation projects.
Apply Now! Caribbean Youth Climate Activists for the Climate Justice Camp
The free Climate Justice Camp: Caribbean Edition will bring together people from the region to take part in four days of workshops and events to build knowledge, strategies, capacity, community, and networks on Sint Maarten, March 28-31, 2024.
New Terrestrial Biodiversity Assessment For Project CORENA In Sint Maarten
A new project aims to assess key land areas for biodiversity on St. Maarten. The foundation Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) has been selected to conduct the terrestrial baseline biodiversity assessment, as part of the CORENA project. The CORENA project (Coastal Resilience and Needs Assessments) was initiated by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial […]
EPIC Partners With IGY to Offer ‘Slurpy’ Pumpout Service
MAHO – The foundation Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Sint Maarten and The Business Point are working to re-establish sewage pumpout boat service in and around the Simpson Bay Lagoon thanks to support and donations from business partners such as Island Global Yachting (IGY). “Without IGY’s donation of dock space for the pumpout boat […]
Anderson Jean Awarded Prestigious Bright Award
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.
Free Hike-Guide Training Offered on Sint Maarten
EPIC Sint Maarten invites people interested in becoming volunteer hike leaders to participate in a free two-hour training session this Sunday April 3, 2022, at 9 – 11 a.m. at the SFC/R4CR office (the old WIB branch) on AT Illidge Road.
Conservationists Pen Action Plan to Protect Extremely Elusive and Endangered Seabird
“Conserving the Diablotin” informed by a decade of exploration and research January 28, 2022—The Endangered Black-capped Petrel is a seabird so secretive that ten years ago, only one active nest had ever been located and monitored. Despite this tremendous gap in knowledge, the International Black-capped Petrel Conservation Group created an action plan in 2012 to […]
A Path of Partnership
The Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds has been a vital supporter of the EPIC Sint Maarten Foundation since 2013, awarding our non-profit more than $80,000 for eight conservation projects including…
Community Helps Identify Restoration Sites
Deciding which sites are most important for restoration takes a community effort. The knowledge and experience of Working Group members are crucial for making informed decisions. In this case, the subject was non-native mammals that damage island biodiversity and…