Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS)

Logo for the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service

Welcome to the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service!

As an extension to the University of Puerto Rico's Sea Grant College Program, the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS) works to promote the education and awareness of our natural resources in the Caribbean. Operating within the University of the Virgin Island's (UVI) Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES), our team is able to leverage partnerships and collaborations with researchers at UVI and the local Virgin Islands government to accomplish our goals. From annual beach cleanups, marine science summer programs for youth, or the recycling of glass beverage bottles, we use innovative outreach and research tools to tackle locally relevant issues within our Virgin Islands workforce and economy. 
Howard Forbes Jr. - Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service Director
Thank you for visiting us today! Be sure to check out our on-going activities below to see how you can get involved in our many environmental-focused programs and initiatives.
Howard Forbes Jr. - Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service Director

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

Join us for the International Coastal Cleanup (Coastweeks)! Cleanups start on September 16 and will continue until October 29. Click the button below to learn more about Coastweeks and register for upcoming cleanups.
International Coastal Cleanup Logo 2023

International Coastal Cleanup (Coastweeks)

September 16, 2023 - October 29, 2023 
Learn More and Register

MARINE SCIENCE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 

Learn more about our programs and outreach initiatives below. 

VIMAS PROGRAMS

 
  • Junior Ocean Explorers (Grades 3-6): A two week marine science summer program that teaches youth the fundamentals of swimming, snorkeling, and Caribbean plant and animal identification. 
  • Youth Ocean Explorers (Grades 7-12): A four week marine science summer program that refines students' swimming and snorkeling skills while teaching them about ecology, highlighting STEM career pathways, providing  scuba diving training / certification and much more. 
  • Coastweeks: Beach cleanup opportunities where we document and remove coastal trash. Students can earn community service hours for their involvement in these efforts. 
  • USVI Glass Recovery Program: This pilot program recycles glass beverage bottles by pulverizing them back into sand which can be used for a multitude of applications such as filling sandbags.
  • Mangrove Restoration Project: Through this effort, we grow and plant red mangroves to help restore areas that once had mangroves.
  • Water Heroes Program: This 3-day module uses hands on lessons to teach students about water conservation, water quality testing, and water filtration.  
  • Environmental Learning Outside the Classroom: Our team of environmental educators can host engaging field trips for school groups to teach them about our vital  ecosystems, both on land and underwater.   

CONTACT US!

Our team is happy to assist you!

Office Phone: St. Thomas (340) 693-1672 / St. Croix (340) 692-4046
E-mail: St. Thomas (howard.forbes@live.uvi.edu
Website: http://vimas.uvi.edu 
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Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service
Center for Marine and Environmental Studies
University of the Virgin Islands