May 17, 2009 — The streets of Charlotte Amalie are lined with shops that sell jewels of all colors and sizes, but the territory's most precious gems lie beneath the surface of the waters that surround its islands.
Virgin Islanders of all ages came together Sunday afternoon to participate in the first Reef Fest, an event filled with activities and music designed to educate the community about coral reefs and their impact on the environment. "The reef is closer than you think!" was the motto of the day, printed on bumper stickers being handed out by student volunteers and stamped into blue rubber bracelets given upon payment of the $5 entrance fee.
Snorkel clinics provided by Coki Beach Dive Club gave everyone the opportunity to don mask and fin and get a closeup view of the underwater world, including a real shark provided by Coral World that was safely cordoned off close to the shore.
V.I. Ecotours had kayaks available for paddling around the reef, as well as live samples of red mangroves and kid-friendly collages detailing their importance to the marine environment.
For those who didn't want to get wet, a guided Coastal Walk was the perfect thing. Gary Ray, a professor of ecology at the University of the Virgin Islands, explained the various native and non-native plants and the connection between land and sea.
"I want to empower people to learn the importance of the reefs in our community," said Lihla Noori, the marine stewardship coordinator at the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Marine and Environmental Studies and organizer of Reef Fest. "The best way to do that is to present it in a cultural, fun fashion. My hope is to lay a foundation for the future of the Virgin Islands and our natural resources."
While listening to the sounds of JDPP Jammerz, Jamesie P. and Top Notch Band, event goers sampled "live" foods and local drinks prepared by Love Livin and vegan dishes by Speedy Redemption.
The master of ceremonies for the event was Troy Willock, V.I. Ecotours senior lead guide, who said he wanted to be a part of Reef Fest to "save the reefs by bringing the community together and giving them hands-on knowledge, because the more you know, the more you care."
One of the highlights of the event was the Reef Rap, in which students from different schools rapped original verses pertaining to the day's theme. Students from Charlotte Amalie High School, V.I. Montessori School and Lockhart Elementary school competed for a prize of $250 donated by Scotia Bank.
"I learned that a lot of the fish we eat here in the Virgin Islands grew up in the reefs," said Sergio Fonseca, a 12th grader at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. "The reefs were like their nurseries that protected them from predators."
Sergio's Reef Rap partner fell ill so he was unable to compete in the Reef Rap, but he teamed up with Kashawn Hull, an 11th grader at Charlotte Amalie High School, to rap to all who listened: "Squash the violence, squash the beef, let's get together and save the reef!"
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