THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE OF ARK
ARK HISTORY
This year marks the 24th year the Association of Reef Keepers (ARK) has been in existence in the British Virgin Islands. During its early years, numerous educational materials regarding the importance of protecting the Territory's marine resources were created and distributed locally and regionally. The success of these materials along with many articles in the press and letters to the VI Government helped raise the awareness within the local community that the marine environment needs better attention towards its preservation and gave ARK the reputation as a major player in helping to protect our local marine habitats.
This year marks the 24th year the Association of Reef Keepers (ARK) has been in existence in the British Virgin Islands. During its early years, numerous educational materials regarding the importance of protecting the Territory's marine resources were created and distributed locally and regionally. The success of these materials along with many articles in the press and letters to the VI Government helped raise the awareness within the local community that the marine environment needs better attention towards its preservation and gave ARK the reputation as a major player in helping to protect our local marine habitats.
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1993
ARK is created by of a group of concerned citizens wanting to educate the community on coral reef conservation. In order to become a non-profit, it had to move from the Natural History Society at the H. Levity Stoutt Community College. 1997-2012 Reef Check is initiated in the BVI, one of the first in the Caribbean. Four monitoring sites were established - Bronco Billy, Diamond Reef, Spyglass Wall and the Indians. |
2000
ARK successfully convinced the VI Government to create a formal committee (the Airport Environmental Management Group) during the expansion of the T.B. Lettsome International Airport. The committee ensured best practices and proper mitigation measures were used during the construction phase to reduce erosion and sedimentation in nearshore habitats. 2001 A satellite extension of ARK, to become known as 'Island Erosion' was developed amongst local engineers, architects and construction workers to work collectively as a group to deal with the unique small island environments. It has since dissolved but under our 'Ridge to Reef' programme, we are hoping to achieve what 'Island Erosion' had once set out to do. |
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The original ARK logo was designed by Kapua Gregory.
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One of the early successful ARK flyers found locally and throughout the Caribbean region. (Artwork by Roger Ellis)
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2015 - REPOSITIONING ARK
In early 2014, ARK was going to close its doors forever due to a lack of direction and funding. However, like many other Caribbean islands, increased physical development and the imminent impacts resulting from climate change threaten the sustainability of our natural resources. There was no better time to resurrect ARK.
Restructuring the non-profit organisation first meant the 'passing of the torch' from its founding members to a new Board of Directors in order to create a clear direction for ARK. Although the mission statement didn't change, new goals and specific programmes, each with their specific objectives were created in order for the newly 'repositioned' ARK to achieve its full potential mandated under its mission.
In early 2014, ARK was going to close its doors forever due to a lack of direction and funding. However, like many other Caribbean islands, increased physical development and the imminent impacts resulting from climate change threaten the sustainability of our natural resources. There was no better time to resurrect ARK.
Restructuring the non-profit organisation first meant the 'passing of the torch' from its founding members to a new Board of Directors in order to create a clear direction for ARK. Although the mission statement didn't change, new goals and specific programmes, each with their specific objectives were created in order for the newly 'repositioned' ARK to achieve its full potential mandated under its mission.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - 2022
Shannon Gore, PhD - Managing Director
Clive Petrovic - Founding Member
Casey McNutt
Mervin Hastings
Dylan Penn
Chris Haycraft
Shannon Gore, PhD - Managing Director
Clive Petrovic - Founding Member
Casey McNutt
Mervin Hastings
Dylan Penn
Chris Haycraft
MISSION STATEMENT
The Association of Reef Keepers (ARK) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to ensuring the preservation and sustainability of the BVI marine environment for the benefit of all future generations. ARK is committed to provide assistance in collecting information used to determine short and long-term changes of the marine environment which will ultimately aid government departments in determining effective marine resource management strategies. ARK is also committed to promote local outreach programmes aimed at educating and empowering the local community.
ARK'S FUTURE
The future of ARK lies in the hands of those running it, those supporting it and those believing in it. Within the next 5-10 years, ARK hopes to be in a position to be able to hire a young generation of local environmental advocates to fill the roles as 'Directors' for each of ARK's programmes. All this depends on the community's support to ensure a sustainable future for our marine resources.
