Celebrating the successful completion of the Eco-Schools “Water and Waste Smart Schools” project, that aimed to build capacity within U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) schools and the broader community for safe, clean, and affordable drinking water. The successful three-year initiative was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Children’s Healthy Learning Environments grant. It was implemented by the Virgin Islands Conservation Society (VICS) in partnership with EPIC during 2022-2025. The project engaged over 5,500 students and 150 teachers across eight public schools in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John in the USVI. Through hands-on learning, school audits, community outreach, and other measures, the initiative fostered a new generation of water stewards and significantly expanded the impact of the Eco-Schools program in the territory.

A key component of the project was the distribution of 3,000 reusable water bottles, the installation of four water bottle filling stations in St. Croix schools, and the upkeep of several others, which together diverted an estimated 35,477 single-use plastic bottles from the landfill—nearly a ton of waste. Students also conducted water and waste audits, created educational signage with QR codes linking to a new Water Smart Schools website, and engaged in environmental curricula including the Water Heroes, Refill Bottles, Not Dumpsters, and USVI Marine Debris curricula. A new video that focuses on the project and educating the community was also created and will be used for future classroom presentations.

The initiative also emphasized long-term impact through teacher training programs, community events, and the development of enduring school partnerships. Teachers praised the hands-on curricula, and students showed increased awareness of water quality, pollution, and STEM career pathways. Local partnerships were strengthened, and the Eco-Schools program became an established and vital vehicle for sustained environmental education in the territory.

Thanks to the dedication of EPIC, VICS, the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service, educators, students, administrators, and a Project Advisory Committee of additional community partners, the project not only met its goals—it built momentum for future action. Although the grant award ended on April 30, 2025, the Water Smart Schools program will continue to grow, inspiring students to protect their health and environment for years to come. Check out the website here.