Virtual Seminars

The Friends Seminars aim to educate and inform on subjects related to the protection, conservation, and preservation of the natural and cultural resources in the Virgin Islands National Park.  Enjoy these recordings of past seminars.

Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (CWORI)

USVI Wildlife Rehab

Recorded October 16, 2024 | Ocean Week Virtual Seminar

Dr. Samuel Eliades, Director of Research & Conservation at Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (CWORI) will present on the rescue and rehabilitation process at Coral World with extra focus on sea turtles.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Sea Turtles 101

Recorded October 17, 2024 | Ocean Week Virtual Seminar

Join Friends Education Specialist, Kaitlyn Cummings and learn about the Virgin Islands National Park Sea Turtle Program, the general life cycle of a sea turtle, the three turtles found in the US Virgin Islands, and the things you can do to protect our turtles! 

Photo by Caroline Rogers

Coral Ecosystem Threats

Recorded October 18, 2024 | Ocean Week Virtual Seminar

Jeff Miller is a retired fisheries biologist formerly stationed at Virgin Islands National Park. It’s a tough time to be a coral. Jeff shares his passion for the spectacular animals of the coral reefs and suggests ways you can help.

conservation conversation

Conservation In The Virgin Islands

Recorded April 15, 2024 | Virtual Panel

What does it mean to be a conservationist in the Virgin Islands? Protecting our place and building a healthy future. Join our esteemed panel as we explore the various lenses that we each bring to the field of 'conservation'.

Yellowtail parrotfish

Sedimentation Impacts on Yellowtail Parrotfish

Recorded October 17, 2023 | Ocean Week Virtual Seminar

Parrotfishes function as important regulators of marine algae in Caribbean coral reef systems through their feeding activity. This presentation examines the influence of sedimentation on the feeding and spawning behavior of Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) in the Virgin Islands National Park. Presented by Dr. Rick Nemeth, PhD, UVI.

m brandt epscor coral

Rescue To Reef

Recorded October 19, 2023 | Ocean Week Virtual Seminar

Rescue to Reef: A Novel Partnership for Coral Restoration in the U.S. Virgin Island. Presented by Dr. Marilyn Brandt, Research Associate Professor Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, this presentation will discuss the current state of U.S. Virgin Islands reefs, and how a novel partnership between Reef Response and Lovango Resort and Beach Club is working to protect and restore local coral reef resources.

Mangrove

Mangroves Matter

Recorded October 20, 2023 | Ocean Week Virtual Seminar

Mangroves Matter: A Spotlight on Mangrove Initiatives in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This talk covers what mangroves are, their global and local ecosystem services to us, what we are doing for our USVI mangroves, and why you should think mangroves are AMAZING (if you don't already). Presented by Lila Uzzell, Masters of Marine and Environmental Science (MMES) program, UVI

Green Turtle

Sea Turtle Research In The USVI

Recorded October 16, 2023 | Ocean Week Virtual Seminar

Learn about the sea turtle species and research being conducted in the USVI including the importance of monitoring nest populations, sand temperature, and genetic sampling. Presented by Katie Ayres, former Friends Sea Turtle Program Co-Coordinator.  

hatchling crawl ps

Let's Talk Turtles

Recorded May 25, 2023 | Virtual Seminar

Join the Virgin Islands National Park Sea Turtle Program team for an update on the program and the challenges our sea turtle population face as we kick off the 2023/24 nesting season. This presentation includes a review of the 2022 season report. 

Bananaquit Gail Karlsson-

Birds of St John

Recorded January 12, 2021 | Virtual Seminar

Learn about the resident and migratory birds of St. John as well as about Audubon's 121st Bird Count with VINP Ranger Laurel Brannick. 
New Project - 2022-08-17T185354.457

Community Matters Seminars 2022

This seminar series intended to sponsor conversations related to conservation, sustainable development, disaster capitalism, and environmental racism is made possible thanks to the support of the National Endowment for the HumanitiesCommunity Foundation of the Virgin Islands and WTJX/NPR.

Earth Day 2022

Reef Smart Virtual Seminar 2022

Recorded April 20, 2022

Our coral reefs face a number of challenges! Join us for a virtual seminar on the state of our coral reefs, why coral reefs matter, and what each of us can do to help save our coral reefs.
New Project - 2022-08-17T185402.978

Earth Day 2021 Student Seminars

Recorded April 22, 2021

Let’s Talk Turtles!

Aluminum Can Recycling. How Does It Work?

Earth Day Story Time: One Lucky Duck 

ocean week seminars

Ocean Week 2021 Seminars

Listen to one of our online seminars that have been recorded and learn more about our marine life and work being done to protect and conserve. 

Recorded Wednesday October 20

Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Recorded Thursday October 21

Initiatives that Support Seagrass Meadows and Coral Reefs in the USVI

Recorded Friday October 22

An Underwater Scavenger Hunt: Cryptic Fish of St. John

 

New Project - 2022-08-17T185411.919

Ocean Week 2020 Seminars

Recorded October 2020.

Adren Anderson & Willow Melamet, Friends VINP
 
The Positive Impact of Protected Waters Danielle Olive, Fisheries Biologist DPNR
 
Dr. Marilyn Brandt, UVI
 
Sunscreen Choices that Save Coral Reefs Harith Wickrema, Island Green Living