By Helena Johnson:
​During the first four days that we have lives on Union Island, we have dived a total of six times, and we were able to assess the health of some of the corals in the area. In most locations the coral is healthy and expanding. Although there was a pattern of healthy coral, as of today, when diving in a location called Petit Tabac we were given a view into some of the sicklier coral in the area.  
Some common coral ailments or disease known to affect Caribbean coral include bleaching, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), and the black band disease. Bleaching is the process by which corals are exposed to abnormally high temperatures, causing the animals to expel their zooxanthellae, leading to the striking white appearance. Black band disease, caused by Phormidium corallyticum, kills the coral flesh and is usually found during times of high stress for the coral. SCTLD is a disease is caused by unknown means but is a quick killer and treatable through amoxicillin paste.  
Particular to the area, it appears as though the majority of the unhealthy coral were affected by bleaching. This means that the corals still have a fighting chance! They are likely still alive, particularly in areas that have recently lost their coral. In the end, this should give us hope for the future of coral, that they still have a chance at coming back stronger than before.

By Johneil Ferguson:
During the short time we've been here, I quickly realized that Union Island is a close-knit island with beautiful flora and fauna. Despite their amazing wildlife and friendly people, the island is clearly nothing like the USA. Trash on the island is a huge problem though. While on the docks the last few days I've seen a lot of plastic in the water that washed up to shore, plots of land with scraps and trash and gutters on the road filled with food wrappers. Keeping things sanitary here is a major problem but, there are people on the island who are trying to make a change to the cleanliness of the island. On the other side of the island, small organizations here have made giant strides to help this pollution issue by providing trash pickup to areas that have struggled with trash pollution. Steps like this are slowly but surely leading the island to towards better sanitation and an even more beautiful island!

By: Evan Worden
​Since arriving in Carriacou, I have been amazed by the sloping mountain sides and great hills that cover the Island chain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The ferry we took offered great views of the deep sloped mountains here. The island chain itself is all made of igneous rock, or cooled magma that arose from the sea floor. This is evident in the many layers that are seen in the mountain sides, a product of many eruptions over multiple years piling on one another into neat lines. 
The magma source responsible for all these islands lies under the Soufrière volcano. As tectonic plates move land southward, new islands are formed by the unexposed magma vents. Eventually, the older islands will corrode and succumb back into the ocean. A lot of this is visible on the islands, many of which have gullies and streams formed by erosion. Thankfully, the Soufrière volcano is still very much active and producing the next generation of islands to explore and appreciate. Union island, being one of the farthest South in the chain, is one of the older islands in St. Vincent and Grenadines and has begun to lose its land mass and give way to sloping hills over tall mountains. It has been a pleasure exploring the islands and learning about their rich natural history, and I am excited to know more! 

By Allison Charland:
​​Union Island, a small part of the St. Vincent and Grenadines islands, is not easy to get to; however, upon arrival the mesmerizing view makes you forget the difficult trek. Starting in Grenada, the first ferry to Carriacou was a few hours and required lots of Dramamine. The large ship rocked back and forth after leaving the main island of Grenada due to the influx of trade winds. Yet, we were still granted with a breathtaking sunset unlike any other I have experienced. After leaving Carriacou to head to Union, we were faced with another ferry, but luckily this one was much smaller and did not rock as much. It was about an hour ride, which passed by quickly because of the many views we were granted.
      After going through immigration once again, Union Island was immediately worth the trip. Locals are beyond friendly and helpful, not to mention the island’s dogs that are always willing to join in on a walk. Although their beaches are strongly affected by the brown macroalgae called sargassum, it does not take away from the island’s natural beauty. Unfortunately, as it rots, it gives off a strong odor due to hydrogen sulfide, but this can easily be ignored as you adjust to the island. Aside from this problem, their waters are crystal clear and offer several activities. From scuba diving to kite surfing, there is something for everyone!