Causes: Animals, Economic Development, Environment, International, International Economic Development, Microfinance, Philanthropy, Public Foundations, Wildlife Preservation & Protection

Mission: Founded in St. Thomas in 1972 by Dr. Edward L. Towle, Ph. D. , Island Resources Foundation was in the forefront of the movement to address special scientific and technical attention to the unique social and natural environmental conditions of small tropical islands. Since that time the Foundation has achieved widespread recognition for its efforts (over 160 projects worth over $6 million) in designing innovative adaptive uses of natural and cultural resources in small island systems. Currently the focus of Island Resources activities is on: 1) integrated coastal zone and watershed management strategies; 2.) scientific and technical studies for biodiversity conservation; and 3) environmental information management for decision making. The Foundation is especially adept at institutional capacity building (an explicit objective of most projects), disaster mitigation and strategies to develop sustainable tourism.