Olasee Davis
Olasee Davis is a native Virgin Islander and a passionate environmental activist, ecologist, naturalist, ethnobotanist, agriculturalist, cultural historian, scholar, and writer.
He earned an associate degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia, and a bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University. He later completed graduate studies at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he earned a degree in forestry ecology.
Professor Davis serves as an Extension Professor and Extension Specialist in Natural and Cultural Resources at the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, School of Agriculture, on the St. Croix campus. He teaches a variety of courses at the university and offers special classes through UVI CELL, focusing on the history, culture, and natural resources of the Virgin Islands.
A prolific writer, Professor Davis has authored more than 8,000 published articles in local newspapers including The Virgin Islands Daily News, The St. Croix Avis, and The Virgin Islands Source, covering environmental, agricultural, historical, and social issues. His work has been featured in over 70 local, national, and international magazines.
He is a dedicated member of 21 nonprofit organizations, including serving as Vice President of the Virgin Islands Urban and Community Forestry Council. He is also a member of the St. Croix Environmental Association, the Virgin Islands Trail Alliance, and the founder of the St. Croix Hiking Association. He has been actively involved with the Forest Stewardship Program, The Nature Conservancy, and many other conservation and cultural organizations.
Professor Davis has lectured extensively across the Caribbean, as well as in North, Central, and South America, on topics such as heritage tourism, eco-tourism, medicinal plants, marine and land resources, sustainable agriculture, and the cultural and natural heritage of the Virgin Islands. He has traveled widely across the Caribbean visiting historic sites and leading hikes.
In addition to his journalistic work, Professor Davis has authored and co-authored books, conducted research on medicinal plants and ethnobotany, and published academic papers in collaboration with universities in the United States and Denmark. He has also taught online courses on Danish Caribbean history and the natural and cultural history of the Virgin Islands to university students in Denmark.
Through his advocacy, Professor Davis has played a major role in protecting land and preserving historic and natural sites throughout the Virgin Islands. His influence has led to significant conservation efforts through his published articles, public speaking, radio and TV appearances, courtroom testimonies, and presentations before the U.S. Congress.
In recognition of his contributions, Professor Davis was named “Employee of the Year” by the University of the Virgin Islands in 2007. He has also received numerous accolades, including “Environmentalist of the Year” for the Virgin Islands, the EPA Environmental Quality Award, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management 25th Anniversary Distinguished Service Award. In total, he has received over 300 awards for his work.
A devoted Seventh-day Adventist for over 40 years, Professor Davis has worked with both local and federal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, on a wide range of environmental and community initiatives. He has also served as a visiting professor at several colleges and universities across the U.S.
Throughout his career, Professor Davis has mentored students from the Virgin Islands and around the world, assisting with theses, dissertations, and field research. At the UVI School of Agriculture, he is responsible for developing and implementing educational programs focused on cultural and natural resource awareness, with particular emphasis on coastal environments and water quality.
At the heart of his work is his passion for teaching. He leads workshops and community outreach programs to educate residents and visitors alike about the Virgin Islands’ unique environmental and cultural heritage. Over the years, he has guided thousands of students, professors, scientists, and researchers on hikes and field studies across the Virgin Islands and the broader Caribbean region.
Today, universities, companies, schools, and individuals from around the globe continue to seek out Professor Davis for his deep knowledge of the natural, cultural, and environmental history of the Virgin Islands.
