U.S. Virgin Islands, January 12, 2021—The Advisory Committee of the Euan P. McFarlane Environmental Leadership Award of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) is pleased to announce the selection of Shanna Challenger of St. John's, Antigua and Amira Odeh of Bayamon, Puerto Rico for receipt of the 2020 McFarlane Award, in recognition of their important work as dedicated and passionate environmentalists. The two were selected from a field of seven nominations that also included individuals from St. Lucia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"The nominations this year collectively represented an exceptional pool of talent and accomplishments, particularly noteworthy this year as we changed the age requirements with an emphasis on younger leaders," said review committee member Judith Towle. "Interestingly, all nominees save one were women, pointing, we believe, to a reality increasingly evident in the region that intelligent, educated, and committed young women are assuming a more resilient leadership role in the environmental field," she said.
Recipients of the McFarlane Award are recognized as individuals who have applied themselves to the preservation of the natural or built environment in the insular Caribbean and whose career or avocation demonstrates an appreciation of and support for the advancement of environmental stewardship and balanced development in the Caribbean.