Virgin Islands Conservation Society

11/06/2026

🚨 Another St. Thomas business has officially ditched Styrofoam. Bernie’s is now VI Clean Coasts Eco-Certified, helping keep our islands cleaner and reducing plastic pollution in the waters we all depend on. 🌴♻️
Own a business or know one that wants to make the switch? Eligible VI Clean Coasts businesses can receive funding to help cover the cost of transitioning to more sustainable alternatives. Learn more, support Eco-Certified businesses, and tag a business you’d love to see go Styrofoam-free next: https://viconservationsociety.org/programs/vi-clean-coasts/eco-certification/

🌱 Eco-Certification Spotlight 🌱

In case you missed it in the VI Clean Coasts newsletter this week, we’re proud to recognize Bernie's in St. Thomas as an Eco-Certified business in the U.S. Virgin Islands 🎉

Through the VI Clean Coasts Eco-Certification Program, Bernie’s has completely eliminated expanded polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, from its business operations.

This step helps reduce harmful single-use waste, protect coastal environments, and support cleaner, healthier communities across the Virgin Islands.

“Y’all are doing good work in the community. We do as much as we can to help. Thank you.” — Bernie’s

👏 Thank you, Bernie’s, for making the switch and helping lead the way toward a more sustainable USVI.

Want more updates like this? Sign up for the VICS newsletter to stay informed about VI Clean Coasts businesses and sustainability efforts across the territory, and learn more about Eco-Certification here: https://viconservationsociety.org/programs/vi-clean-coasts/eco-certification/

Partners:
Virgin Islands Conservation Society
VI Clean Coasts
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA Northeast and Caribbean Region
Department of Planning and Natural Resources, DPNR

11/06/2026

🌱 Eco-Certification Plus Spotlight 🌱

We’re proud to recognize Polly's at the Pier Cafe in St. Croix as a newly certified Eco-Certification Plus restaurant in the U.S. Virgin Islands 🎉

Polly’s was already Eco-Certified, meaning they had eliminated expanded polystyrene (aka Styrofoam) from their operations. Now, they’ve taken their commitment even further.

Eco-Certification Plus recognizes businesses that voluntarily adopt additional sustainability practices beyond going Styrofoam-free. To earn this designation, restaurants commit to at least three added actions that meaningfully reduce their environmental footprint.

Polly’s earned Eco-Certification Plus by using eco-friendly compostable packaging, setting up recycling for aluminum and glass bottles, and composting food waste. Since implementing these changes, the cafe has reduced its overall waste by half — a powerful example of how practical, day-to-day decisions can create measurable impact.

👏 Thank you for leading by example and helping protect St. Croix’s coastal environment.

Learn more about VI Clean Coasts Eco-Certification:
https://viconservationsociety.org/programs/vi-clean-coasts/eco-certification/

Partners:
Virgin Islands Conservation Society
VI Clean Coasts
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA Northeast and Caribbean Region
Department of Planning and Natural Resources, DPNR

28/05/2026

Sounds awesome, DPNR! Have fun and learn about Mangrove Lagoon! 💙

DPNR TO OFFER FREE KAYAK TOURS ON ST. THOMAS
https://dpnr.vi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/051426-Kayak-Tours-Press-Release.pdf
Vouchers will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to current residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands beginning June 6, 2026.

02/05/2026

All smiles for Chipper! It was fun to join you! 💙💚

01/05/2026

Happy Carnival! Thanks for your partnership in the Children’s Parade, Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA)! 💙💚

30/04/2026

💙 Help protect our natural resources! Learn more from DPNR’s Science Saturday.

Did you miss our latest Science Saturday FB Live? We’ve got you covered! Click the link below to read the blog post and catch up. 🔬

https://dpnr.vi.gov/blog-tppa/science-saturday-%d3%8f-whale-point-parking-and-trail-improvements/

Science Saturday, a monthly Facebook LIVE event, airs on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. Watch the full interview on the Department of Planning and Natural Resources page or the Science Saturday YouTube playlist.

19/04/2026

Together we can reduce plastic waste! 💙💚💙

17/04/2026

Thanks for partnering with us, NOAA and DPNR, to reduce erosion in the USVI!