In a first for the Island Green Living Association, it will have an intern to help with its recycling, conservation and preservation programs. However, because the non-profit organization needs to provide complimentary housing for the intern, it’s putting the word out about the need for an apartment or families to host the intern.
“I’m open to any suggestions,” IGLA board member Harith Wickrema said.
The intern comes from Temple University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality in Philadelphia. She’ll arrive in January and spend about two weeks out of every month through April on St. John. However, Wickrema said that two-week time frame is flexible.
Wickrema declined to release her name until she arrives.
According to an IGLA press release, she is a top student in her senior year and will earn college credits and hands-on experience highlighting the importance of sustainable practices.
She will work with the Preserve St. John recycling program and the Island Green Living with Zero Waste program, which is a sustainability curriculum in schools offered through a partnership with the Education Department. Additionally, she’ll assist with the Global Island Green Living Summit planned for the region in 2016 to uncover and examine the challenges and vital solutions to conservation issues in the Caribbean and beyond.
“She’s be organizing and managing all these activities,” Wickrema said.
IGLA President Rob Crane said that since IGLA doesn’t currently have a director, the assistance provided by the intern will be a big help.
IGLA is dedicated to preservation, conservation and environmentally responsible business practices on St. John and beyond. It is responsible for the island’s ReSource Depot, which has allowed 195,000 pounds of building materials to be repurposed or reused since it opened several years ago.
The organization also launched Green Building and Green Villa Certificate programs that encourage builders to use eco-friendly practices. IGLA is made up of concerned residents, construction industry professionals and property owners based on St. John.
The group hopes to brand St. John as one of the greenest Islands in the world and tackle other issues by joining forces with the public and like-minded organizations.
If you can help with internship housing, contact Wickrema at harith@harithproductions.com or at 215-620-8809.
Visit www.iglavi.org for more information on the organization.
