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News Releases from Region 02

EPA Honors U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Champions

05/13/2016
Contact Information: 
Jennifer May-Reddy (may.jennifer@epa.gov)
212-637-3658

(New York, N.Y. – May 13, 2016) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today honored two organizations from the U.S. Virgin Islands with Environmental Champion Awards for their achievements in protecting public health and the environment. EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck was joined by Murray Fisher, founder of the New York Harbor School, to present the awards to this year’s recipients at a ceremony at the EPA’s offices in Manhattan. The awards are presented annually.

“It is a privilege for EPA to be able to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of these environmental trailblazers,” said Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “These individuals and organizations from the U.S. Virgin Islands are an inspiration, encouraging us to do our best to protect the environment every day.”

The Environmental Champion Award winners from the U.S. Virgin Islands are:

Clean Sweep Frederiksted

Clean Sweep Frederiksted is a grassroots initiative with the mission to support the economic development and revitalization of the Frederiksted Historic District through targeted litter cleanups. The organization has developed a program called Adopt‐a‐Spot, where individuals, schools,

businesses, civic groups, or churches commit to keeping a specific area clear of litter. They also transformed Cruzan rum barrels into trash receptacles that are painted by local volunteers. To date, volunteers have donated over 4,000 hours of service valued at over $95,000. 

Gifft Hill School

The Gifft Hill School teaches environmental stewardship to students from preschool to 12th grade through gardening and nutrition education. The school instills in its students an understanding of their relationship with the environment. The school also established an Energy Initiative that will save the school $1 million over 20 years through energy efficiency improvements, a solar photovoltaic system, and a Community Campus Arboretum of 60 native and regionally significant trees.

For more details, visit: www.epa.gov/aboutepa/environmental-champion-awards.

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