Our Mission

Mario A. Francis is a lifelong educator, environmentalist, and public advocate whose decades of service span agriculture, youth empowerment, urban forestry, and civic leadership across the U.S. Virgin Islands. He currently serves as Chairman of the Virgin Islands Urban and Community Forestry Council and is the Founder and Program Director of the Junior Gardening & Ecology Academy, a pioneering after-school and summer program focused on environmental education and stewardship. Mr. Francis began his career in natural resource management after earning degrees in Agricultural Science, Landscape Management, and Forestry Technology from the University of the Virgin Islands, Ohio State University, and Hocking College. He has held key roles in both government and nonprofit sectors, including Horticulture Technician at the V.I. Department of Agriculture and Program Coordinator for the American Lung Association’s Indoor Air Quality initiative. An award-winning horticulturist and landscape consultant, Mr. Francis has also served as a legislative assistant, sales manager, and community organizer, with a consistent focus on youth development, environmental justice, and sustainable land use. He has led numerous community-based projects, including native plant restoration, school garden installations, and conservation awareness campaigns. His extensive civic service includes leadership roles in the St. Thomas Audubon Society, V.I. Conservation Society, and the Independent Citizens Movement Party. He has mentored students through the Charlotte Amalie High School mentorship program and played a key role in the creation of the U.S. Virgin Islands Congress of PTSAs. Mr. Francis has been recognized for his contributions to environmental education and public service, and he continues to inspire new generations through his work with students, families, and community leaders. His enduring commitment to ecological sustainability and youth empowerment remains at the heart of his mission.