Youth Sailors Launch Environmental Initiative in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The SVG Sailing Association has launched Tide Turners – Young Stewards of the Sea, a youth-led environmental initiative aimed at strengthening monitoring, awareness, and protection within the South Coast Marine Managed Area.
The official launch took place on Friday, 6 March at the Vincy Sail Club, Coconut Grove, bringing together youth sailors, community members, partners, and supporters committed to safeguarding Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ marine environment.
During the event, five young sailors shared short speeches, speaking about their connection to the sea and the environmental changes they have observed while sailing along the South Coast, highlighting the important role young people can play in protecting the marine environment. Educational consultant Joshua Gooding and project manager Anne Weinhardt also introduced the goals of the Tide Turners initiative and thanked Louise Mitchell for inspiring the development of the project.
The initiative is funded by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Conservation Fund, whose support makes it possible to engage young sailors and schools in meaningful environmental action.
Tide Turners empowers youth sailors to become active stewards of the ocean through environmental education, biodiversity monitoring, shoreline cleanups, and community engagement. Participants will help record observations on marine wildlife, coastal changes, and pollution, contributing to valuable community-based environmental knowledge.
Guests and participants at the launch were also invited to write pledges for the sea, committing to simple actions that help protect the marine environment.
The initiative has already begun its practical activities. The first educational workshop took place Saturday morning introducing 18 participants to marine biodiversity, environmental monitoring, and responsible ocean stewardship.
Over the coming months, Tide Turners will continue to engage young sailors and local schools in activities such as environmental monitoring sessions, sailing-based observations, and coastal cleanups. The data collected will be compiled into a Community Environmental Report, which will be shared with relevant government agencies and conservation partners.
The SVG Sailing Association hopes the programme will inspire a new generation of young Vincentians to take an active role in protecting the ocean that surrounds them.
