Las Vegas Sands and Clean the World Announce Second Drop by Drop Grant for University of Saint Joseph Macao

Las Vegas Sands and Clean the World Foundation, a leader in global health dedicated to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and global sustainability, have selected the University of Saint Joseph Macao (USJ), Institute of Science and Environment to receive a second grant from the Drop by Drop Project. Funding will help the university continue its investigation into enhancing local water quality using native wetland plants, especially mangroves, as a nature-based solution for climate change.

Sands and Clean the World developed the Drop by Drop Project in 2019 to reinvest capital from Sands’ water stewardship savings into innovative projects supporting water champions in its local regions. Funding from the Drop by Drop Project aims to increase local water resiliency, reinvigorate ecosystems, incubate new water solutions and engage the community. Since its inception, the initiative has driven several accomplishments, including creating water-based solutions for a clean and safer Macao, using wetland ecosystems as a nature-based solution for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Macao, fabricating a river plastic collection device, launching teacher training programs and developing a marine conservation virtual learning series.

“This second round of support from Clean the World and Sands through the Drop by Drop Project will enable us to take further steps into our research, this time, with more focus on the role of mangroves as a nature-based solution for climate change adaptation and mitigation,” said Karen Tagulao, USJ professor and researcher. “We aim to make a significant impact to the local community through our outreach program.”

The University of Saint Joseph Macao plans to survey and evaluate the existing coastal wetlands and other wetlands in their contribution to carbon sequestration and storage in Macao. Additionally, the University will plant approximately 500 wetland seedlings to help reinvigorate a portion of the wetland ecosystem. In addition to its water quality research, USJ will conduct community awareness campaigns to promote nature-based solutions to combat climate change. USJ plans to engage more than 3,000 students and local Macao stakeholders to take concrete action in better adapting Macao to climate change impacts.

“USJ has been an outstanding partner, and our continued investment in this research demonstrates our belief that its outcomes will have lasting impact,” says Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and Chief Sustainability Officer at Sands. “The USJ team has inspired both the local community and our Team Members to understand how Macao’s mangroves and wetlands can provide a nature-based solution to pressing environmental challenges.”

Sands’ partnership with Clean the World on the Drop by Drop Project enhances the mission of its comprehensive Sands ECO360 global sustainability program, which aims to ensure the long-term environmental health of its host regions as sustainable tourism destinations by practicing responsible development and reducing impact on the natural environment.

For more information on The Drop by Drop Project, please visit: http://cleantheworldfoundation.org/dropbydrop.