St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands: eDesign Dynamics (EDD) was the water resources and ecological engineering consultant on a multidisciplinary team with urban planners and architects for the preparation of the EPA Community Change Grant application for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. The project focused on climate resilience and environmental justice across St. Croix by strengthening community capacity and ecosystems against the threats of flash flooding, storms, drought, erosion, and sea level rise. These risks endanger critical tropical ecosystems such as wetlands and coastal lagoons, which provide food security, stormwater management, groundwater recharge, and drought resilience.
EDD’s role centered on hydrology, stormwater management, green infrastructure, and ecological restoration. To better inform the planning and design of green infrastructure (GI), EDD performed a hydrology assessment across the island. EDD also facilitated community engagement charrettes with local organizations, ensuring that technical recommendations were aligned with community priorities to balance ecological performance with neighborhood needs.
The proposal highlighted the protection and enhancement of two of the island’s most critical coastal lagoons, Great Pond and Altona Lagoon, through nature-based solutions. Proposed interventions included expanded native plantings, swales, culvert upgrades, improved drainage networks, dredging and deepening of existing ponds, detention ponds, and sediment retention zones. Site-scale efforts focused on the Pearl B. Larson School and Tide Village neighborhood, adjacent to Altona Lagoon, where design concepts integrate climate adaptation with education and natural resource stewardship.
EDD also led the cost estimating and prepared major supporting reports. These efforts culminated in a community toolkit and strategic plan to safeguard ecosystems and strengthen resilience to climate change.
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CLIENTS AND PARTNERS
U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources
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Crucian Heritage and Nature tourism (CHANT)
Climate Resilience Consulting
St. Croix Fndn. for Community Development
Caribbean Green Technology Center
Adaptation International
ONE Architecture & Urbanism
