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USVI Eco-Friendly Excursions

By Carol M. Bareuther, RD

Spiky-headed lime-green iguanas lazed on mangrove limbs and watched us with half-hearted interest. A juvenile fish broke the surface of the shallow pool and plunged back elusively. Egrets, perched covertly among the leaves, eagerly waited for the snack-sized fish to re-appear. To some, mangroves may represent a stagnant forest. But, our up close and personal visit revealed a dynamic community of wildlife, sea life and bird life. Equipped with this newfound knowledge, we headed out to give hands-on help to saving these endangered tropical trees.

The natural attractions that entice visitors to the Virgin Islands are now subjects of eco-friendly excursions offered by USVI resorts such as the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas.

"We started our 'Discover the Mangroves' tour after several of our employees volunteered to clean up the salt pond in Red Hook and took a real interest in this habitat," says public relations director, Jennifer McQueen.

According to a 2008-released report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, 20 percent of the world's mangrove forests have been lost since 1980. These trees ability to buffer coastlines against storms, control erosion, and sequester large amounts of carbon make them one of the last stands against the peril of climate change and global warming.

The 3 ½-hour 'Discover the Mangroves' tour starts with a short guided walk along one of the resort's mangrove lined salt ponds. This dense thicket, which sits right in the middle of the beautifully landscaped property, is a wondrous hidden habitat of white and buttonwood mangroves.

Next stop is a hands-on beach clean up.

"We work with the University of the Virgin Islands' marine biologists to identify the mangrove-lined beaches that can benefit from a clean-up," says McQueen.

Educational talks, informal question and answer sessions, and look-and-learn opportunities that center around the mangroves and the eco systems they shelter highlight the hour-long litter pick up.

Then, guests board the resort's 53-foot catamaran, Lady Lynsey, and set sail to a spot where a guided snorkel excursion allows them a first hand underwater look at the native habitat they have helped to protect.

Mangroves aren't the only focus of the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas' eco-explorations, which are part of the resort's Community Footprints program. Guests can also help save endangered sea turtles. This started last year when Arnoldo Falcoff, the resort's resident dive instructor, had the surprise of his life when readying one of his boats for a morning trip.

"One of my co-workers came up to me with a baby hawksbill turtle," Falcoff explains. "She had found it and a few others struggling in the strong current along the shores of Great Bay and was concerned. I immediately dropped what I was doing to marvel at these miniature creatures. Apparently, a nesting female had laid her eggs in a nest right here at the hotel. Unbeknownst to us, the eggs hatched and the hatchlings made their way to the sea, with the exception of these little guys that we found the next morning."

Baby hawksbill turtles weigh less than an ounce and measure only an inch long. This compares to adults that span over 3-feet in length and are nearly 200 pounds. Global commercial fishing practices have put this turtle on the critically endangered list by the World Conservation Union.

Falcoff immediately contacted Coral World for guidance and the turtles were taken to the marine park where they were rehabilitated and readied for return to the wild. This grand homecoming is something guests shared in during a sailing trip in December.

"The guests learned about the Caribbean's sea turtles during the sail," says McQueen. "Then came the moment for release. A few palm fronds were placed in the water to make an easier transition for the turtles. Then, two young guests were chosen to assist in setting the turtles free."

This spring, the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas will introduce even more eco-friendly programs.

"We will offer a hike on St. John's Reef Bay Trail and a hike/snorkel trip to Caneel Bay aboard the Lady Lynsey," says McQueen.

Guests on the Reef Bay Trail tour will start their trip with a 20-minute boat ride to Cruz Bay, St. John, and then ride in an open-air safari van to the head of the challenging 3-mile trail. A guide will lead the way and point out cultural and ecological points of interest. The highlight of the trip is a stop for lunch at the natural pools reflecting the petroglyphs, rock carvings made by ancient peoples who visited the island thousands of years ago. Then, its on to explore the ruins of the 18th century Reef Bay sugar factory followed by a swim at a deserted beach and boat ride back to the resort.

Whether to take a guided hike above Cruz Bay, St. John, to Honeymoon Beach or sail and snorkel around Honeymoon Bay is the decision guests need to make on the Caneel Bay excursion. Both are eye-opening outings within the Virgin Islands National Park that give guests a chance to become one with nature.

What's the best part of an eco-friendly vacation? It's knowing that the flora and fauna you learn about and lend a hand to today will still be there to enjoy tomorrow.

Find a complete list of activities, island tours and day trips, tour operators, charter boats for dive, snorkeling, fishing and swimming, golf and water sports - right here in our Activities Guide.