Abstract

The St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER) encompasses 9.6 km2 of significant coastal, marine and fisheries resources, including mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reef communities, offshore cays, and a salt pond. In recognition of the importance of these natural and cultural resources as well as the imminent threats to them, a collaborative planning process between the STEER community, the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, University of the Virgin Islands, and The Nature Conservancy was initiated in May 2008 to develop the STEER Management Plan to provide the long-term vision for the area and guide near-term (3-5 years) objectives and activities. The Management Plan was developed using The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Action Planning methodologies, based on the principles of adaptive management. Implementation of the management, research, policy, enforcement and outreach strategies recommended in the Management Plan have begun. There have been challenges and success in filling research gaps, keeping partners coordinated and the community involved as well as establishing the mechanisms for sustainable funding, support, and governance.