EPA Honors Virgin Islands Environmental Champions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 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 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.