Prince Harry seen here with Louise Mitchell when he visited the National Sea Turtle Conservation Project at Colonarie St. Vincent in October 2017 and endorsed the work of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund.
Louise Mitchell with designer Catherine Prevost and Managing Director of Swarovski, Nadja Swarovski as Swarovski launched a Sea Life jewellery collection with proceeds going to the SVGEF.
Louise Mitchell’s name in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is synonymous with environmental activist, in particular in the fight for the saving of the whales and turtles. However her charity work spans many areas even outside of the environment. Below are some of the charities that Louise champions.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund
Executive Director, 2016 – present
The SVGEF is a Fund established by UK conservationist Ben Goldsmith and singer Bryan Adams (who has a home in St. Vincent) together with Louise. It is part of a network of such funds set up by Ben Goldsmith around the world and it raises funds to put towards environmental conservation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Conservation Fund
Vice President, 2017 – present
The Project is funded by the German Development Bank, The Nature Conservancy, GEF/UNDP and GEF/World Bank. Its aim is to ensure a sustainable financing mechanism for conservation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is part of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund initiative set up by Sir Richard Branson with the aim of securing 20% of marine space in the Caribbean as protected by 2020.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Trust
Trustee, 2003 – present
The National Trust is the oldest NGO in St. Vincent and Grenadines. It is charged with preserving the built heritage, the archeology and natural heritage of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Among the projects undertaken by Ms Mitchell with the National Trust was the saving of the Yambou I petroglyphs during the building of the international airport.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Trust Heritage Fund
Chairperson
This fund was set up to raise and invest funds to benefit the National Trust and so ensure its longevity.
World Pediatric Project
Director, 2015 – present
This project headquartered in St. Vincent, and established by Sir Excellency the Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, brings the best medical teams from the United States of America to perform life saving surgeries and treatments to children of St. Vincent and the region. The project has a dedicated Operating Theatre in Kingstown, St. Vincent. It ensure the best medical care in the world to Vincentian children suffering from major illnesses.
Bequia Heritage Foundation
Deputy Chair, 2011 – present
The Bequia Heritage Foundation has built the Bequia Heritage Museum on Bequia and safeguards the history of this seafaring islands. The museum captures both the boat building history the whaling history and the historical archaeological artefacts of the first settlers of Bequia from the Orinoco.
Yanagil Education and Development Fund
Executive Director, 2017 – present
This organization, set up by Gilbert Weekes and Iyana Bramble Weekes, Vincentians living in Canada, is set up to help dreams come true in the field of education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Federation
Executive Member, 2012 – present
The Swimming Federation is the national federation for the sport of swimming in SVG. It is one of the two most active federations in the country, next to athletics. Ms Mitchell carries the responsibility for grassroots and open water swimming. Her work aims to take swimming into the rural coastal communities as a life saving skill as well as to offer swimming to disadvantaged children.