The U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Program was established to manage, enhance, protect, and preserve our coastal resources, while reducing conflict between competing land and water uses. It represents a comprehensive approach to minimizing the impacts of activities on our coastal resources. CZM is strongly committed to the overall management of the coastlines to ensure environmental and economical sustainability for future generations.

The DPNR Environmental Protection Division is responsible for environmental protection and the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations in the US Virgin Islands. The Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) receives funding and has been delegated responsibility for environmental protection by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the auspices of Region2. The mandates of the Environmental Protection Division are to protect and conserve the natural resources of the Government of the US Virgin Islands air, water and land upon which life depends, and the health, comfort, and repose of the public.

The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is an education & outreach arm of the University of the Virgin Islands. CES provides information and technical assistance to government agencies, businesses, community groups, and the general public on Agriculture, Natural Resources, Family & Consumer Science, and 4H Youth Development.

The University of the Virgin Islands Eastern Caribbean Center (ECC), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), have undertaken the challenge of developing a Conservation Data Center (CDC), as part of a Natural Resources Identification and Long-Term Conservation Plan for the Territory. The CDC compiles, analyzes, and disseminates natural resource data. The data being collected is linked to a Geographic Information System (GIS). The CDC’s GIS lab provides sophisticated analysis as well as accurate and reliable map products for any area of interest in the Territory.

SEA is the VICS and NWF affiliate in St. Croix and EAST’s sister organization. SEA has been on the cutting edge of the issues that face St. Croix. They have worked hard to rid the island of sewage spills and have sought to assist in bringing a comprehensive solid waste plan into existence. SEA’s programs in education and VI Releaf bring a great deal of service to the community.

IRF is a private, non-profit research and education organization based at Red Hook in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, dedicated to solving the environmental problems of development in small tropical islands.

The National Wildlife Federation is the nation’s largest member-supported conservation group, uniting individuals, organizations, businesses and government to protect wildlife, wild places, and the environment. NWF is a 501(c)(3) charitable, educational organization, of which EAST is an affiliate.

Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. We bring about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations and communities. Earthjustice is currently assisting EAST in it’s appeal of the CZM permit issued for the development of a resort in pristine Botany Bay, on St. Thomas’ west end.

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. In the Virgin Islands, The Nature Conservancy is working with the local government and partners to protect forests, watershes, guts (intermittent streams), sea grass meadows, coral reefs, sandy beaches and coves for the plants and animals that depend on them.