IGLA Mission Statement

 

IGLA Mission

Island Green Living Association (IGLA) is a leading proponent of sustainability with the mission to protect USVI’s natural environment through the advancement of low impact island living, responsible business & government practices, green design/construction and sustainable development. IGLA believes that a holistic approach can help preserve and protect the spectacular beauty and natural diversity that provides ecological health, a sense of community and the unique quality of life on St John and within the territory. We are committed to establishing the territory as an eco-destination.

IGLA’s driving principles are cooperation, community involvement/support and education both within and outside the classroom. Its multifaceted approach focuses on improving conditions, setting new protocols, and promoting awareness and understanding. As St. John is the smallest and least developed of USVI’s three islands and IGLA is based here, it is our aim to make it our primary focus initially. Trash disposal has long been a major issue that threatens St. John’s fragile eco systems and one we are facing head on. Ultimately meaningful change will be made throughout the USVI, success that can be mirrored in other locales throughout the world.

Intrinsic to this mission is inspiring a culture of change within the islands, empowering and engaging residents and our visitors through education, reinforcement and recognition. Responsible low impact island living should become second nature. IGLA will implement the following initiatives:

  • Promote concept of Rethink before one purchases an item. Do I want it? Or do I need it?

  • Reduce consumption which will contribute to waste reduction.

  • Encourage Reuse and Recycling along with clean composting.

Practice: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

IGLA sees the following as vital to the effort:

  • Promote partnership and coordination between various government agencies/departments along with environmental/civic organizations and the private sector. The idea is to pool resources and work together.
  • Accelerate the adoption of aggressive solid waste reduction, reuse, composting, recycling.
  • Advocate establishment of a Vocational Job Training Center that emphasizes Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) and related job creation activities.
  • Educate including school curriculum to teach benefits of recycling, composting and environmentally responsible practices as well as the devastating environmental impact without such practices.
  • Build excitement and engagement of all residents including youth — instilling ownership and pride in the initiatives and progress.

If we all work together as ONE, we can accomplish and preserve our islands from environmental and economic devastation.

IGLA is an organization dedicated to preservation, conservation and environmentally responsible building & general business practices on St. John and beyond. It established the island’s ReSource Depot, which has allowed 225,000 lbs. of building materials to be repurposed/reused to date, items that would have otherwise wound up in a dump. The organization also launched Green Building and Green Villa Certificate programs that encourage builders to use eco-friendly practices. In 2015, IGLA launched the Preserve St. John initiative to combat recycling issues on the island starting with aluminum and will formally institute the Green Living with Zero Waste education program in partnership with the USVI Department of Education in 2016 to encourage and reward green practices, creating the next generation of passionate “Green Living” ambassadors.

If you share this mission, we invite you to Join IGLA Today!