From Durham, New Hampshire, to every corner of the globe, UNH Wildcats roam everywhere. This week, #WildcatsRoam to the British Virgin Islands! 🏝️ Nia Jeffers ’23G completed the last semester of her UNH marine biology master’s degree in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, developing a curriculum to educate students about coastal resilience and marine biodiversity with a focus on how to care for mangrove seedlings. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated her island home in the British Virgin Islands, leaving destruction that can still be seen today. But for Jeffers, this catastrophe sparked a mission to protect her community's future. “With every mangrove that we plant and every child who is impacted by our programs, we bring our community closer to achieving a more sustainable future,” Jeffers reflects. “Mangroves are ecologically and culturally significant habitats that protect the Virgin Islands from the impacts of storms and erosion and help to sustain the fisheries industry. My research will inform policy for restoration and management in the coming years.” Jeffers plans to use her degree to develop educational programs that will encourage youth in her community to pursue careers in STEM. She is committed to ensuring that young people have the tools they need to protect their islands for generations to come.