National Geographic Photographer Brian Sperry spent approximately three weeks in St. Croix in the summer of 2016 capturing the beauty of our underwater areas and multitude of marine life. Sperry’s hope with the project is to draw attention to ocean conservation efforts.
Sperry’s work is featured in this month’s issue of National Geographic. The piece is titled “Sea of Change.” His photo footage was focused primarily on Buck Island Reef National Monument and Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge.
Video footage was also captured last summer for a related film called “Sea of Hope: America’s Underwater Treasures.” The film premiered on television last month and was directed by Robert Nixon. The overarching goal of both the photos and film is to draw the attention of the U.S. government to funding needs for oceanic conservation.
Oceanographer Sylvia Earle is featured in the film, which is narrated by Max Kennedy (an environmental conservationist and son of Robert F. Kennedy). The film stars two intercity children from Washington, D.C. who have neither seen the ocean or been on a plane previously. The film was cast in this way to fulfill a secondary goal of encouraging children to champion the environment, leading the way to conservation for future generations.
More recently, National Geographic Photographer Brian Sperry photographed President Barack Obama snorkeling in the neighboring British Virgin Islands. Following last month’s inauguration, the president and wife Michelle vacationed on Necker Island in the BVIs, a private Caribbean island which belongs to Sir Richard Branson. President Obama took a break from suits and strict schedules to enjoy all the activities the Virgin Islands have to offer, including snorkeling and kiteboarding.
As active sailors, The Hanley’s champion youth sailing on St. Croix, to teach children an early love for the waters around our beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands. Chris is a board member at the St. Croix Yacht Club, while Kerri helps fundraise for the youth sailing program on-island. When you’re ready to call this beautiful place home, be it full- or part-time, contact The Hanley’s to capitalize on their combined 50 years of local real estate knowledge. Start by downloading their free St. Croix Event Guide to find the ideal time for an extended stay: