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Hello fellow readers! And welcome to another blog post with Limu and I as we migrate together. This week we traveled to the US Virgin islands, I’ve heard many stories of this place but had no idea what to expect. The turquoise waters and green mountains were so beautiful in contrast to the pale strips of sandy beaches.It was almost hard to believe that a place that looked so vibrant and full of life was experiencing such a serious environmental problem. I would have never known that these islands in fact are in an extreme drought at the moment. United States Secretary of Agriculture declared a drought disaster for the islands this August. The main concern for this drought at the moment is the agricultural impact especially for livestock producers. When there is not enough rain, farmers and ranchers can struggle to find enough water and resources to care for their animals. Crops can also suffer, making it more difficult for communities to maintain reliable food supplies. When environmental conditions begin to threaten these resources, the effects can spread throughout an entire community. It’s horrible to hear that these beautiful islands are struggling so much just to sustain themselves.As we traveled through the area, it made me think about how easily we can overlook environmental problems when they are not immediately visible. Someone visiting the islands might see the gorgeous beaches, clear water, and green mountains and never realize that residents are dealing with a severe lack of water. I can’t imagine how the residents must feel knowing their food resources are in danger. While Limu and I mainly feed on sea sponges it would be terrifying to hear of shortage in the food source we need to sustain life. But considering the way that global warming is impacting our oceans there’s a chance we may one day have to worry about that happening. Warmer ocean temperatures, changing ecosystems, and other environmental changes can affect marine life in ways that may not be immediately noticeable. Thinking about that possibility helped me understand the situation from a different perspective. Further, this drought could have economic impacts if it persists long enough which could cause even more detriment to the community. This really goes to show how a large event like a drought severely impacts so many aspects of a community. In addition it proves that if things like this are overlooked it can become even more disastrous if no acts of prevention are taking place. Thankfully with the drought declaration livestock producers can qualify for assistance from the United States and a burn ban is in effect to prevent wildfires. Our visit to the U.S. The Virgin Islands were filled with beautiful sights, but it also taught us an important lesson about the relationship between people, animals, and the environment.  As Limu and I continue our migration journey, I hope we can keep learning about these environmental issues and sharing what we discover with all of you.