Royal Caribbean International has awarded $80,000 in grant money to two environmental organizations in the territory under RCI's Ocean Fund project. Though this year's awards went to organizations on St. Croix and St. John, last year St. Thomas' REEF Ecology Project received $45,000 from the fund.
This year the international cruise ship company awarded a total of $580,500 in new grants to marine conservation organizations world wide. The company has earmarked an additional $2 million for the Ocean Fund.
The Ocean Fund awarded $30,000 to the St. Croix Environmental Association to help them plant red mangrove seedlings in Salt River Bay.
Clean Island's International received $50,000 to support a summer eco-camp for 250 students at the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station at Lampshur Bay on St. John.
In giving the awards the Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of RCI said "We are greatly encouraged by the success of programs undertaken not only by major universities and conservation groups, but also by grassroots organizations. We are grateful to be given an opportunity to help these experts make a difference in the protection of marine habitats and ocean life.