Thriving Islands

16/08/2026

A coral nursery at Butler Bay is expanding efforts to restore endangered elkhorn coral on St. Croix’s west end through a partnership between the Coral Restoration Foundation and Thriving Islands LLC. Click the link for more.

Link: https://stcroixsource.com/2026/08/15/coral-restoration-organizations-join-forces-at-butler-bay-coral-nursery-on-st-croix/

11/08/2026

We love our Elkhorn coral! 🪸🫶

08/08/2026

🌊🇻🇮 Exciting news for Butler Bay! New coral trees have arrived! 🪸

Thriving Islands is thrilled to partner with the Coral Restoration Foundation to expand the coral nursery in Butler Bay, St. Croix, with 8 new coral trees!

These underwater nurseries will be home to Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)—one of the Caribbean’s most important reef-building corals.

While hanging on these trees, the corals can grow quickly before being fragmented and outplanted back onto the reef, helping restore Butler Bay with greater genetic diversity and resilience.

Healthy reefs mean healthier fish populations, stronger coastlines, and more vibrant marine ecosystems for all of us. 🐠🐢💙

If you’re snorkeling or diving in Butler Bay, be sure to stop by and say hello to our newest underwater residents! 👋🪸

⚠️ A friendly reminder to all boaters: please help protect this restoration site by avoiding anchoring near the nursery or on the reef. Your awareness helps ensure these corals have the chance to grow and thrive for years to come.

Spread the word, bring a friend, and keep an eye out for the new coral trees on your next ocean adventure! 🌊 Feather Leaf Inn Ceiba Strategies LLC

19/06/2026

🌿 New Field Trip Opportunity on St. Croix! 🌊

Bring your students outside for a day of exploration, discovery, and hands-on learning at Feather Leaf Inn.

Students will:
🍈 Explore heritage and fruit trees
🌳 Learn about giant baobobs
🌱 Get hands-on in our mangrove nursery
🦀 Discover amazing creatures in nearby tide pools
🔍 Complete a nature scavenger hunt

These experiences are part of the Roots for Reefs program, a free curriculum available to educators and educational facilitators throughout the US Virgin Islands.

DM us (or email: [email protected]) to learn more or schedule a field trip! ☀️

Ceiba Strategies LLC Feather Leaf Inn

Send a message to learn more

08/06/2026

🌊🐠 Meet Your St Croix Neighbors! 🪸👋

June 8th is World Oceans Day, and we’re celebrating the incredible underwater community living right beneath the iconic Frederiksted Pier in St. Croix!

Join us for a quick virtual dive and get to know some of the amazing (and rare) corals that call these waters home. From tiny reef builders to massive coral colonies, each one plays an important role in keeping our ocean healthy. 💙

👀 Your challenge: Can you spot all 7 featured coral species?

The next time you’re diving or snorkeling under the pier, keep your eyes peeled and let us know how many you find! Bonus points if you share your photos in the comments. 📸🐟

19/05/2026

16/05/2026

Check out our coral spawning internship recap! ✨🪸

06/05/2026

Mangrove Nature Walk recap 🌿

We had such a great time connecting with the community and exploring our coastal ecosystem right here on St. Croix! From roots to reefs, it’s all connected—and it was amazing to share that together.

Our Roots for Reefs project highlights how coastal plants and coral reefs work as a team to keep our oceans and shorelines thriving. Even more important? The power of community in protecting these spaces we all love.

“Each one of us can make a difference. Together we can make change.” – Barbara Mikulski

We’re so proud to be part of a community that shows up for the environment—and for each other 💙

Missed this walk? No worries! Stay in the loop for future events by following us and subscribing to our newsletter at RootsforReefs.org.

See you out there ✨

17/04/2026

Coral Reef Week is officially underway and we’re still smiling about it 🌊💙

We kicked things off on Sunday at The Nature Conservancy’s Coral Innovation Hub on St. Croix, and we’re excited to be part of such an inspiring week!

Thriving Islands teamed up with Ceiba Strategies to showcase our Roots for Reefs project—connecting mangrove restoration, coral reefs, and community action 🌱🐠

The event was filled with creative conversations about reefs✨ Conservation groups from across the USVI brought interactive games and activities, TNC hosted coral nursery tours, and there was plenty of food, laughter, and ocean love to go around.

And this is just the beginning! Stay tuned all week as we continue getting the community outside, hands-on, and connected to our beautiful island and ocean 🌴🌊💙

17/04/2026

MANGROVE NATURE WALK
Saturday, April 18th
10-11 OR 11-12
Altona Lagoon

RSVP by sending us a message or email: [email protected]

We hope so see you there!