May 16, 2009 — On Sunday from noon to sunset, St. Thomas' new Smith Bay Park will be the setting for Reef Fest, an event empowering communities to protect our reefs, according to Lihla Noori, marine stewardship coordinator at UVI.
Family-friendly activities, interactive games, lectures, food and contests will help to educate the community about the impact that land-based activity has on the marine environment.
"The reef is closer than you think," Noori said. "Whether you live on Crown Mountain or close to the ocean, everything we do on land affects the ocean."
One of the day's highlights will be a "Reef Rap" Contest. There promises to be heavy competition from the 10 entries from elementary, middle and high schools across St. Thomas vying for a ScotiaBank-sponsored $250 first prize.
Interviewed this week on the radio, Noori got to hear from one of the rapper contestants from the Montessori school.
"You wouldn't know they weren't professionals," Noori said.
This will also be a green event, where no Styrofoam will be allowed, and only recyclable and biodegradable materials will be used. A recycling station will be set up to separate the trash from the event.
Activities include snorkel clinics, an underwater trail, kayaking, solar car races, guided coastal walks, a turtle survey, touch pools, build a reef as well as games.
Music will be provided by the JDPP Jammers, Jamesie P. and the Top Notch Band.
Reef Fest is a fund-raising event to support coral reef community education programs on St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island.
Sponsors for the event include V.I. Ecotours, Coors Light, the Environmental Association of St. Thomas, Allied Rental Center, Lew Henley's Sewage and Disposal, First Bank, Coral World, the Friends of the National Park, and Scotiabank.
For more information, contact Lihla Noori at 340-693-1392 or e-mail lnoori@uvi.edu.
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