From the mesmerizing corals and sea turtles in the underwater world, to the land dwelling St. Croix Ground Lizard and Eggers Agave that are both endangered and endemic to St. Croix, to the hundreds of resident and migratory birds that take to our skies, SEA is committed to preserving the island's natural environment for the health of all of its inhabitants. Through education, conservation and advocacy, our goal is to create a more resilient environment.
While extreme weather has a major impact on human lives, preserving our natural environment is also imperative. Our native plants and animals play many roles: helping balance our ecosystem; providing food; recycling organic matter; and even improving our quality of life -- locals and tourists find joy in them year-round. Native species are specially adapted to recover from hurricanes, but habitat fragmentation, invasive species and pollution have compromised their ability to do so.
Monitoring our native flora and fauna helps us understand our shared ecosystem. Native trees serve as habitat and a food source, prevent soil erosion, require less water, and capture carbon. Bats and birds manage pests, pollinate our favorite trees, and indicate the quality of our waters. Sea turtles play a vital role in coastal ecosystems, keeping our beaches and underwater habitats healthy. SEA's research informs the conservation actions that protect St. Croix's unique natural landscape.
Due to our changing climate, severe weather is expected to be more frequent. SEA's actions will mitigate the destruction of these catastrophic events, helping wildlife recover more quickly, reducing pollution from stormwater run-off, and stabilizing vital habitat. Understanding our native plant and animal species, and helping them thrive, may also help prevent their extinction. Our goal is to preserve St. Croix's natural environment so people may continue to enjoy it for generations to come.
