October 7, 2015
In fall 2014, Syracuse EFC awarded a $5,000 mini-grant to the Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust (VCHT) under its Mitigating Pollution Through Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Materials Management Mini-Grants program. The VCHT’s project, “Coastal Debris Removal and Storm Sewer Identification Project,” underscores the importance of protecting the local coastline from waste and other pollutants, in order to protect areas that contain coral reefs, sea turtle nesting sites, and a variety of shore birds. The project facilitated a number of beach cleanups, sewer system labeling, and educational workshops in Vieques, Puerto Rico to promote awareness and continue conservation efforts to reduce waste in critical coastal environments.
Project Impact:
– MORE THAN 20 beach cleanups were conducted, each used as an educational experience to inform the surrounding public about the importance of protecting the coastline
– 121 bags of garbage were removed from Puerto Real bay alone
– Great success in beach cleanups due to large numbers of participants, which included students, fishers, community leaders, interns, volunteers, teachers, and visiting university groups
– Storm drains were identified for labeling in the four communities of Esperanza, Isabel Segunda, Bravos the Boston, and Monte Santo
