Organization: Environmental Protection In The Caribbean Incorporated
Mission: Protecting the Caribbean environment through research and community-based actions.
Activities: The Black-capped Petrel Conservation Program successfully monitored the health of one of the most endangered seabirds in the Caribbean at its only known nesting colony on the island of Hispaniola. Sustainable farming initiatives also protected the petrel from habitat loss, while supporting Haitians in creating sustainable communities. The project worked with over 400 families and more than 2,500 people on a range of conservation initiatives including soil and water conservation, increasing crop yield through plant selection and composting, reforestation through a tree nursery and replanting program, and youth education for thousands of children who are likely to be future farmers. Two expeditions to Guadeloupe and Dominica sought to find additional nesting locations for this rare and secretive seabird, whose population is less than 1,000 nesting pairs. EPIC is also working globally to bring this bird back from the brink of extinction through participation on the International Black-capped Petrel working group and through the use of social media and feature films.
The Grenadines Seabird Program is protecting and raising awareness in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada about the highly significant seabird breeding populations covering a total of 74 sites including three sites of global significance and 18 that are significant in the Caribbean. Since seabirds are experiencing a 70% decline worldwide, this program focuses on research, monitoring, education and conservation planning. A total of 70 people are currently trained as members of the Grenadines Seabird Guardines who gather data and patrol these remote islands. Education programs reached more than 3,000 people including students, the public, and government officials. A first-ever Seabird Conservation Plan was drafted with input from diverse stakeholders and will provide a roadmap for protecting these imperiled seabirds and their nesting sites from impacts such as poaching, plastic pollution, and introduced predators.
NTEE category: International, Foreign Affairs & National Security
Secondary category: Environment