VINE — the Virgin Islands Network of Environmental Educators — was established in 2004 to improve environmental and cultural education opportunities throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands by creating a network of educators to share information and contacts. Since its creation, more than 25 organizations and members have joined VINE to work together to increase the quality and availability of environmental and cultural programs available to schools and community organizations in the territory.

VINE's Goals are to:

• Build capacity for environmental and cultural education within the U.S. Virgin Islands;
• Link K-20 educators, natural and cultural resource organizations, and other stakeholders to promote environmental and cultural education within the U.S. Virgin Islands; and
• Disseminate member, program and outreach information to teachers, administrators and community groups.

VINE is actively developing new programs and materials for teachers to use on a number of issues, including the impacts of water pollution, the role of mangroves in the marine environment, the life cycle of the leatherback sea turtle, energy conservation, the Virgin Islands' cultural history, and preventing soil erosion, to name a few. One important VINE program is the Leave Paradise in its Place Campaign. The campaign promotes protection of sea life amongst residents and visitors through a beautiful full-color poster and a webpage with protection tips hosted by MediaMate on GoToStCroix.com, GoToStThomas.com and GoToStJohn.com.

VINE held its first-ever Capacity Building Workshop on September 20-21, 2007 at the V.I. Sustainable Farm Insitute in St. Croix. Over 40 education & outreach coordinators from St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas & the British Virgin Islands participated in the workshop. Workshop trainers from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Puerto Rico and the University of Miami delivered presentations and led workgroup sessions on strategic communication, building lasting partnerships, diversifying stakeholder participation and transfering science & policy into effective education & outreach for workshop participants (see Workshop Agenda & Summary).

VINE members strive to coordinate their individual environmental education programs to provide comprehensive environmental education resources, and we are working to fill the gaps in areas that are not currently covered. Our mission is to provide materials and programs to allow Virgin Islands' teachers to provide our students with a comprehensive Environmental Education experience. Our vision is to provide Virgin Island's youth with the best environmental education opportunities available. Please pass along any suggestions, comments or programs you would like to see developed to one of our VINE members.

VINE information, presentations and photos are now available to teachers, outreach coordinators, and other environmental education professionals. Visit the VINE Yahoo Groups website at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/vine_online to join - when you join an email will be sent to the Groups moderator for approval.

The Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS) on St. Croix has produced an Environmental Education & Information Directory for teachers. The two-page directory includes a description of the various environmental organizations and agencies in the territory and a table showing the activities each organization coordinates. Hard copies of the Directory are available from UVI-VIMAS. It was last updated in early 2005, but VINE will be updating the digital version periodically.

VINE Contact List

Please feel free to contact any VINE member for more information about VINE or to schedule presentations. Remember we are here to assist you!