The unique habitats and natural resources of the Southgate Coastal Reserve (SCR) are one important focus of S.E.A.’s direct conservation activities. The Southgate Coastal Reserve and other sites that S.E.A. owns or manages offer S.E.A. the opportunity to apply the best conservation practices available.

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Of course, there is much more that deserves protection. St. Croix’s natural resources range from the upland forests in the west out to the grassy, windswept eastern tip of the island, and down to one of the largest fringing coral reef systems in the Caribbean that is a unique marine environment.

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These resources provide a variety of ecosystems that sustain diverse communities of plants, animals, native and migratory birds and marine life. Imperiled species such as the St. Croix Ground Lizard, the Brown Pelican and the Least Tern find protection on our island. And our sandy beaches provide critical nesting areas for endangered Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles.

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S.E.A. is working to identify more of the specific habitats and species that must be conserved and to develop scientifically supportable strategies for their conservation.