The final Science Saturday of 2024, Bird Focus: No Egrets, was an unforgettable event! Director Kitty Edwards of the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas joined Jennifer Valiulis, Executive Director of the St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA), for an engaging morning at the Southgate Coastal Reserve. Alongside Special Projects Coordinator Chantelle Quiñones and Stephanie Chalana Brown of the Sanctuary Festival Troupe, the group explored the reserve’s trails, stopping to admire the traditional Christmas Inkberry tree and other local species. These trees are part of SEA’s ongoing reforestation efforts, with over a thousand trees planted throughout the reserve.
The team waded through overflowing pond waters to reach the bird blind, where Jen, a Wildlife Biologist and avid birdwatcher, was waiting with her binoculars. Southgate, designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International, serves as a winter haven for a diverse array of bird species. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching year-round, using binoculars and bird identification apps on their phones to enhance the experience. Jennifer emphasized the critical role of volunteers and citizen scientists in tracking and documenting the birds that nest, breed, and migrate to Southgate. With bird populations declining significantly over the past 50 years, conservation efforts and the creation of protected areas like Southgate are more vital than ever.
Midway through the event, Kitty and Jen were joined by Chalana Brown and Olivia Walton to discuss the Sanctuary Festival Troupe and their environmental advocacy. The troupe plans to bring awareness to local environmental issues during the Crucian Christmas Festival Adult Parade on January 4th, 2024. On the Sanctuary Facebook page, Chalana highlighted the troupe’s focus on “art as action, stories as stewardship, and community as sanctuary.” Their costumes, inspired by the traditional “pitchy-patchy” masqueraders, reflect Virgin Islands traditions and aim to emphasize culture as the environment. Residents are encouraged to join the troupe, either by donning a costume or purchasing a t-shirt to participate in the parade. Olivia, an ambassador for the troupe, called on the community to show their support for environmental conservation by tramping down the road in large numbers.
Science Saturday, a monthly Facebook LIVE event, airs on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. To watch the full interview with SEA’s Executive Director and the Sanctuary Festival Troupe, visit the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and Sanctuary’s Facebook pages. Explore their initiatives and learn how you can get involved in environmental stewardship across the USVI!
