The Nature Conservancy is celebrating the grand opening of its U.S. Virgin Islands Coral Innovation Hub, a new laboratory dedicated to advancing coral science in the Caribbean and across the planet. Located at Estate Little Princess, a historic plantation site situated northwest of Christiansted in St. Croix, the innovation hub will serve as a center for innovative approaches to coral conservation.
New coral science and technology developed at the hub will be distributed through a global network of conservation practitioners, partner organizations, stakeholders and educators to advance coral conservation worldwide.
U.S. Virgin Islands Coral Innovation Hub is at 3052 Estate Little Princess, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands
The grand opening ceremony of the new hub will begin promptly at 10 a.m., Friday, May 13.
The Nature Conservancy is honored to be joined by the following individuals for this event:
- Albert Bryan Jr., Governor of U.S. Virgin Islands
- Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy
- Frandelle Gerard, Executive Director of Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism
- Celeste Jarvis, Ph.D., Virgin Islands Program Director of The Nature Conservancy
- Ayana Flewellen, Ph.D., President of the Society of Black Archaeologists
- Jennifer Koss, Coral Reef Conservation Program Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Angelita Alvino, Saint Croix Superintendent of the National Park Service
The beautiful, historic buildings are made of stony corals and limestone from the sea, circa 1740 and 1840. Participants will see coral restoration activities; hundreds of corals as they fluoresce in the dark; a demonstration by The Nature Conservancy scientists of the fragmentation (cloning) of corals; and a variety of nursery structures that The Nature Conservancy scientists use in underwater nurseries to grow corals.
Parking is available onsite; for those traveling, the Conservancy can recommend accommodations nearby.
RESOURCES: USVI Coral Innovation Hub grand opening event page
USVI Coral Innovation Hub video
‘A Revolution to Save Coral Reefs’ webpage
‘Caribbean Corals: Large-Scale, Long-Term Reef Conservation’ fact sheet
The Nature Conservancy’s 2021 Caribbean Impact Report
Estate Little Princess webpage
