A new beginning of land preservation on St John
Our two main projects on Lovango Cay and
north and south Haulover Bay are described below
Lovango Cay Parcel Conserved
The generous gift by an anonymous donor of a pristine parcel of land on Lovango Cay was finalized in December 2016. The beautiful one-acre+ site at the easternmost tip of Lovango Cay was given to the Conservancy with the wish that “Our land be kept undeveloped for the enjoyment of the public forever.“
The generous gift by an anonymous donor of a pristine parcel of land on Lovango Cay was finalized in December 2016. The beautiful one-acre+ site at the easternmost tip of Lovango Cay was given to the Conservancy with the wish that “Our land be kept undeveloped for the enjoyment of the public forever.“
Lovango Cay
The Lovango Cay parcel is more than an acre on the very easternmost tip of Lovango, just to the northwest of St. John. It's absolutely gorgeous and pristine, and part of a scenic corridor for boating traffic, which makes its preservation especially important. The beachfront property is surrounded by coral reefs and has views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Lovango Cay is part of the Cruz Bay Quarter of St. John, VI.
This lovely piece of land has been set aside for our community for public enjoyment, both scenic and otherwise, by current and future generations, thanks to this generous donation and the efforts of all involved with the SJLC. (Please click the thumbnail images below to enlarge them and view all our photos of this beautiful property in full size.)
This lovely piece of land has been set aside for our community for public enjoyment, both scenic and otherwise, by current and future generations, thanks to this generous donation and the efforts of all involved with the SJLC. (Please click the thumbnail images below to enlarge them and view all our photos of this beautiful property in full size.)
Land Conservancy Saves Haulover from Development
After reading in the Tradewinds newspaper about the efforts of Raf and Thia Muilenburg to save pristine Haulover Bay (above) from possible development, Lauren Mercadante was inspired to create a conservation trust with them and others and purchase more than three and a half acres of land over five parcels. The land is now protected from development.
After reading in the Tradewinds newspaper about the efforts of Raf and Thia Muilenburg to save pristine Haulover Bay (above) from possible development, Lauren Mercadante was inspired to create a conservation trust with them and others and purchase more than three and a half acres of land over five parcels. The land is now protected from development.
Haulover
Haulover is located on the East End of St. John. It has two beautiful and unspoiled beaches — one that is a popular swimming spot (South Haulover on Round Bay), and the other that has arguably the best snorkeling reachable by road on the island (North Haulover on Dreekets Bay). This area, with its historical significance, pristine beaches and thriving underwater life was about to be developed into 28 condominium units, which would’ve resulted in the public losing access to this remarkably unspoiled and historic land. (Please click the thumbnail images below to enlarge them and view all our photos of this beautiful property in full size.)
Understanding the importance of preserving these parcels, protecting the beaches and substantial marine areas from the effects of development, St. John attorney Raf Muilenburg and his wife Thia worked hard for 2 years to find conservation buyers for the property. In May of 2011 they succeeded with the cooperation of Dave Prevo, the developer of Dreekets Bay, who owned the five parcels of property constituting 3.6 acres shown on the aerial photo above. Together with Lauren Mercadante, a lifelong devotee of the island and naturalist, they formed The St. John Land Conservancy to protect threatened natural lands on the island, especially Haulover and the historic East End. The land eventually became part of the VI National Park.
Raf Muilenburg, the Conservancy's president, says, “As a lifelong St. Johnian (and one-time resident of East End), I’ve always thought Haulover was one of the most beautiful and environmentally sensitive places on the island, and I am overjoyed that this land is now protected! "
Raf Muilenburg, the Conservancy's president, says, “As a lifelong St. Johnian (and one-time resident of East End), I’ve always thought Haulover was one of the most beautiful and environmentally sensitive places on the island, and I am overjoyed that this land is now protected! "
