A message from EPIC Executive Director Tabitha Stadler
As EPIC concludes our 24th year of delivering world-changing conservation programs, it’s inspiring to see the tangible, positive benefits of the work that we do together. This fiscal year we…
- Co-planned and hosted the first-ever Caribbean Climate Justice Camp for 120 young Caribbean climate and community leaders from 25 countries over four days to build knowledge and networks and co-create actionable strategies,
- Worked alongside the oldest nature conservation non-profit in the U.S. Virgin Islands to bring free, filtered water into public schools along with reusable aluminum water bottles, which protects the health of vulnerable youth and also reduces single-use plastics,
- Despite the political and social unrest in Haiti, we continued to support the multi-faceted project to protect one of the most endangered seabirds, the Black-capped Petrel, while also supporting the local community in applying sustainable farming practices and educating school children about their environment,
- Managed a citizen-science volunteer group in the Grenadines that monitored globally and regionally important seabird nesting colonies,
- Partnered with the EPIC Foundation of Sint Maarten to renew two eco-label programs; Blue Flag for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats, and the Green Key for sustainability within the tourism industry (i.e. hotels and restaurants),
- Sint Maarten also launched the Perpetual Plastics initiative, which recycles plastics into usable items at a community workspace and educates school children about recycling and the importance of reducing plastic use,
- Continued to partner with hundreds of generous donors, skilled volunteers and interns, amazing partners, contractors, and staff to make all of this work happen. Thank you!
With all of these successes, including an upcoming project in the Grenadines islands to remove invasive exotic species from sensitive habitats, EPIC is a powerhouse of successful, on-the-ground conservation. It's an exciting time!
If you're as excited as we are, please consider supporting EPIC at any level you feel comfortable. Donate Here.
And if you LOVE the Caribbean, either because it’s your heritage or because you’ve visited the Caribbean and had a special moment like a sunset, a day at the beach, a day on the water of fishing, diving, sailing or simply relaxing, then you know in your heart that this is a special place on Earth. To us at EPIC, the Caribbean is THE most beautiful and incredible place on Earth. Support our work today.
Please, make a contribution to help us end our fiscal year in May with strength and purpose, poised to jump into our new year knowing that you are part of our team, part of the solutions, part of the group who are making highly impactful decisions every day to protect our planet and ourselves.
Have a wonderful summer season. I hope you have the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy our precious natural world.
Tabitha