Project Description
The Virgin Island Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) is initiating a Preserving
Paradise Campaign. This campaign, which kicked-off on November 11, 2006 on St. Croix,
is designed to encourage all members of our community to help protect and preserve
our islands. In order for this campaign to be successful, we must reach and encourage
all members of our target audience to take part in this initiative. The three groups
that we will target in this campaign are young children, homeowner associations
and organizations and businesses. However, in order for this campaign to be a complete
success, each initiative will be launched separately.
We began this campaign by first implementing the Preserving Paradise Kids Program.
The influence of children has become stronger within recent years. Research shows
that children have a significant impact on decisions made by parents. Research further
shows that children represent three markets, current, influential and future markets.
Being a part of these three groups gives children more market potential than any
other market segment. As a representative of the future market, children will have
the ability to instill what they learn now in future generations. Because of these
findings, we believe that targeting children first will be the best avenue for VIWMA
to kick of the Preserving Paradise Campaign.
Our Goal
We are not only aspiring to teach students about the importance of preserving our
islands; we also intend for them to take what they learn and share it with their
parents. By students sharing what they learned with their parents will help parents
become aware of the campaign and encourage them to learn about ways they too can
preserve paradise. Moreover, children participating in this campaign will persuade
their parents to participate in the Preserving Paradise Campaign for Communities
and Businesses.
This on-going campaign will allow students to, not only learn about the environment,
but they will also learn about ways to keep our islands beautiful. Ultimately, students
will be able to serve as spokespersons for the Authority, encouraging individuals
to keep our islands clean and to dispose of their waste properly. They will also
be our eyes and ears in their communities.
Objective
The objectives of the Preserving Paradise Kids Campaign are:
- Inform students about the importance of preserving our islands.
- Inform students about ways in which they can preserve paradise.
- Expand relationships with the Territory’s public and private elementary schools.
- Initiate a campaign that will reach the parents through their children.
- Expose students to various educational environmental activities.
Target Market
Public and Private Elementary School Children (Kindergarten through Sixth grade)
VIWMA Employees and their families.
To request a classroom visit or school assembly, contact the Division of Environmental
Programs, Diane “Dee” Osinski, Environmental Educator, 340-778-7657 (
dosinski@viwma.org)
