Ensuring a Healthier Environment

A series of comprehensive training sessions to strengthen the capacity of environmental and technical officers in water quality monitoring, data analysis, and storage were recently concluded in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, in partnership with H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), CERMES, and Spatial Innovision Ltd, collaborated to train over 21 officers from various departments, including the Environmental Health Division, Water and Sewerage Department, Agriculture and Fisheries, National Parks Trust, and Town and Country Planning.

Ms. Atoya George, Project Coordinator, emphasised that the RESEMBID project - Strengthening BVI’s Water Quality Monitoring Programme to Inform Effective Environmental Management and Spatial Planning - focuses on capacity development to equip officers with essential skills for managing water quality data. “Through these sessions, participants gained expertise in spatial analysis and comprehensive water quality monitoring techniques,” she noted.

Participants also completed a five-day workshop in September 2024, strengthening their capabilities in data collection, testing, analysis, and laboratory maintenance. Final geodatabase training, completed in December 2024, prepared officers to utilise the newly developed water quality geodatabase.

Andrea Floudiotis, RESEMBID’s Senior Programme Manager, commended the collaborative effort, highlighting that improved water quality monitoring is vital for human and environmental health. “We applaud the Government of the Virgin Islands for increasing its capacity to collect and utilise water quality data to inform pollution control strategies and evidence-based decision-making.” Effective water quality monitoring preserves biodiversity, safeguards public health, and helps countries better respond to the increasing challenges posed by climate change.”

This initiative underscores the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable marine environment management. By equipping officers with the necessary tools and knowledge, the Ministry aims to better manage the human impacts on marine ecosystems, promote effective pollution monitoring, and support sustainable spatial planning.

The ‘Strengthening the Virgin Islands’ Water Quality Monitoring Programme to Inform Effective Environmental Management and Spatial Planning’ project is funded by the European Union through the RESEMBID programme, and is implemented by Expertise France.

Safer and Smarter Schools

Students in 14 public schools across the British Virgin Islands have entered safer, more resilient, and sustainable learning environments, thanks to the transformative BVI SMART Schools Project.

Led by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Green VI, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, and BVI Red Cross, this initiative is enhancing climate and disaster resilience across the Territory’s educational institutions.

The latest phase of the BVI SMART Schools Project expands its mission to maximise safety and sustainability with upgraded infrastructure, improved safety standards, and the adoption of green practices.

Michel Ambrose, SMART Schools Project Manager, highlighted the project’s dual focus: “This project, supported by our partners, not only safeguards our students but also empowers them with the knowledge and tools to thrive in an ever-changing world. These upgrades are a critical step toward achieving that vision.”

The 14 participating schools have undergone extensive assessments and improvements to meet stringent international safety standards under DDM’s guidance. Enhancements include structural upgrades, energy and water conservation measures, and the implementation of sustainable practices such as school gardens, recycling, and waste reduction.

Schools that meet these safety benchmarks are certified as “Safe,” while those incorporating advanced green practices achieve the “SMART” designation. With infrastructure upgrades and green initiatives already making an impact, the BVI SMART Schools Project continues to set a new standard for safety and sustainability in education.

The DDM remains dedicated to ensuring that every public school in the Virgin Islands is equipped to face future challenges, creating secure, SMARTer spaces for students to learn and grow.