The Nature Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental environmental organization located on the island of Sint Maarten, in the heart of the Caribbean. We aim to conserve and enhance our natural ecosystems in the present and for generations to come through a variety of management, research, education, and policy initiatives.
Our Mission
“To improve the conditions for the conservation of Sint Maarten’s natural environment through research programming, public education, management actions, and policy advising relating to all aspects of the island’s terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems.”
Management
The Nature Foundation works to preserve the natural environment on St. Maarten. Our most prominent protected area, the Man of War Shoal Marine Park, boasts an abundance and variety of dive spots, habitats, and marine life. We also conduct several ongoing projects to strengthen the resilience of our ecosystems and native wildlife.
Research
From sea turtle conservation to water quality testing and shark tagging, the Nature Foundation spearheads various research and monitoring projects on St. Maarten. We also collaborate with environmental organizations from other islands to foster regional conservation connections and protect Caribbean biodiversity.
Education
We actively promote environmental awareness in the community and teach the value of nature and sustainability in local schools. By giving presentations to student groups, offering events for residents and visitors, and providing teaching materials, we work to facilitate eco-consciousness and foster a love for the environment.
Policy
As an environmental organization that works closely with government, the Nature Foundation is involved in providing official advices to key policy makers. We lobby for regulations that protect our natural environment, provide training for civil servants, and fund drafting of legislation that helps us achieve our goals.
Explore the Beautiful Underwater World of Sint Maarten
Diving in St. Maarten
As the designated authority of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park, the Nature Foundation also manages the rest of the island’s dive sites. We welcome divers from all regions and encourage visitors to explore our website for more information and book a dive with one of our local shops. To dive in our waters, visitors must purchase a dive tag online, and private and commercial vessel operators must register their boat to use the moorings.
The Nature Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nature Foundation?
The Nature Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that formally assists the government of Sint Maarten (the “Dutch Side”) with the management of our marine and terrestrial environment, including that of the protected Man of War Shoal Marine Park. Tasked as a scientific and environmental authority on the island through CITES, we are also the national contact for the SPAW Protocol. The Nature Foundation is most active in the realms of management, policy, research, and education, without an enforcement branch.
What types of issues do we respond to?
- Marine Park and diving inquires
- Wild animal management
- Nesting sea turtle sightings
- Flora and fauna monitoring
- Damaged moorings
- Environmental disasters
- Illegal vegetation clearing
- Import/export of protected species
- Environmental research proposals
- Educational initiatives
- School presentations
- Water quality testing
Please contact us to find out whether or not we can help with a particular issue.
What issues do we not handle?
- Domestic animal problems
- Pest control and removal
- Diving emergencies
- Waste management
- Maritime violations
- Vessel inspections
Please visit our Contacts and Referrals page to find the contact information for the organizations and agencies that handle these issues.
Is there a website dedicated to diving?
No, but the Nature Foundation handles St. Maarten’s dive sites, and our website has a dedicated portion to scuba diving. Check it out for relevant diving information, including registering, local dive shops, and regulations.
What is the 'French side' environmental agency?
The overseas territory of Saint-Martin (the “French side”) has multiple agencies overseeing environmental management. It is highly recommended to include all the stakeholders in an email for direction towards the correct contact point:
- Protected area of the Réserve Naturelle, sea turtles and marine mammals – l’Association de Gestion de la Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin (AGRNSM)
- Coastal and wetland areas – Conservatoire du Littoral (CELRL)
- CITES, pollution, invasive species – Direction de l’environnement, de l’aménagement et du logement (DEAL) Guadeloupe and/or L’Unité territoriale de Saint-Martin (UTSBSM)
- Fisheries and maritime inquiries – Direction de la Mer Saint-Martin (UT DM)
- Immediate environmental enforcement – Gendarmerie Nationale and/or Brigade Nautique
- Environmental investigations, national commitments – Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB) Antilles
Do we accept donations?
Yes, we do, and we depend on the generosity of our donors to fund our work! Please visit our donate page to learn more.
Latest News & Events
Social Media
Happy International Day of Education!🎓
On this day, we want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported and donated to our educational initiatives in 2025. 💙
Your support helps us inspire young minds, empower communities, and protect the natural beauty of our island.
And a huge thank you to all the teachers and educators who believed in us in the last few years.
Environmental education is essential — it teaches us how our actions impact the land and sea, and why caring for our ecosystems is key to preserving the island we all love. Because of our sponsors generosity, we can continue building awareness, respect, and responsibility for our environment. 🌿🌊
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited for the new initiatives, programs, and opportunities to keep learning, growing, and protecting our island together.
If you’d like to support our work or learn more about our educational initiatives, please email us at info@naturefoundationsxm.org.
💚 Thank you for being part of this journey!
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Jan 24
A coral is not a souvenir — it’s a living city 🪸
Coral reefs are alive — growing, breathing ecosystems that provide shelter for fish, protect our coastlines from storms, and support the livelihoods of our communities. ♻
Each piece of coral provides a home for fish, supports biodiversity, and plays a role in maintaining the balance of the ocean. When coral is touched, broken, or removed, the damage goes far beyond what we can see. Entire habitats are destroyed, leaving marine species without shelter and weakening the reef’s ability to recover.
What may look like a simple souvenir is, in reality, a vital part of our natural infrastructure — one that cannot simply be replaced. Coral grows slowly, often taking decades to regenerate, if it recovers at all.
Visit with respect and leave coral exactly where it belongs — in the sea 🌊
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From Reef to Runway is a conservation initiative led by the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten to combat the illegal removal, trade, and export of marine species and natural materials from the island. Funded by the CITES Secretariat with significant local in-kind support, the project strengthens Sint Maarten’s capacity to monitor, manage, and reduce wildlife trafficking linked to tourism.
Jan 23
Thecadactylus, a genus of geckos present on the island of Saint Martin known for their thick tails. Two species are believed to live here - T. oskrobapreinorum and T. rapicauda. Locally they are known as “giant woodslaves,” though this term is also colloquially used for a different genus of house geckos as well. They tend to prefer old fruit trees and other natural areas rather than human-frequented buildings. 🦎 💙
Jan 20
🌎 Nature Foundation Sint Maarten is Hiring: Join Us as a Senior Conservation Officer 🇸🇽
Our small non-profit organization is seeking a Senior Conservation Officer (SCO) to lead our technical conservation work and ensure science-based management of Sint Maarten’s ecosystems. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines field monitoring, research oversight, and strategic planning.
Key responsibilities:
✅ Execute and lead monitoring of coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves, sea turtles, sharks, and terrestrial ecosystems
✅ Oversee data integrity, update protocols, and sign off on scientific reporting
✅ Provide technical guidance to staff, interns, and volunteers
✅ Translate monitoring data into policy, conservation strategies, and marine park management plans
✅ Represent Nature Foundation in technical meetings, workshops, and regional initiatives
This role is central to bridging on-the-ground conservation action with long-term environmental planning, ensuring our work remains credible, consistent, community-informed, and grounded in science.
🧐 Interested in applying? Review the job vacancy at https://naturefoundationsxm.org/about/work-with-us/. Be sure to carefully follow the submission instructions on our website and submit your application by 31 January 2026!
Jan 14
🪸 The 2025 Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) 2025 report has just been published!
GCRMN brings together more than 21 million observations from over 36,000 reef sites worldwide to understand how coral reefs are changing.
🤿 At the Nature Foundation, we have been monitoring 7 coral reef sites inside and outside the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area since 2016, following the GCRMN monitoring protocol.
Long-term monitoring allows us to see how our local reefs are changing over time, understand the pressures affecting them, and evaluate whether conservation and management efforts are making a difference.
🏝 But what does the report say on Sint Maarten and the Easter Caribbean?
The results are concerning.
🪸 Hard coral cover in the Eastern Caribbean has declined from 15.0% to 7.6% when comparing the 1982–2009 reference period with 2020–2024.
🌿 At the same time, macroalgae increased from 7.6% to 18.0%. More algae can make it harder for young corals to establish and for damaged reefs to recover.
🌡 The ocean is getting warmer. Across the Caribbean, sea surface temperatures over coral reefs increased by about 1.03°C between 1985 and 2025. The region experienced particularly severe heat stress during the 2023–2024 phase of the fourth global coral bleaching event.
🌀 Hurricanes, coral diseases, pollution, coastal development and fishing pressures can add to the stress, making it harder for reefs to recover between major disturbances.
🫣 So, should we lose hope?
No!
The report also shows that coral reefs can recover when conditions allow enough time between disturbances. Reducing local pressures—such as pollution and sedimentation—can help reefs become more resilient and improve their ability to recover from heat stress.
💙 Here in Sint Maarten, this makes the work we do to protect our reefs, improve water quality, monitor changes and reduce local pressures more important than ever.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
✈️ As part of our Keep the Reef Off the Runway campaign, we are excited to celebrate the installation of a new awareness sign in the arrival area of Princess Juliana International Airport!
🐚 From the moment visitors step onto the island, we want them to know that our beaches are not souvenir shops.
🌊 Shells, corals and other marine life belong in our natural environment. Many of the species confiscated at the airport are also protected by law, making it even more important that visitors know what they can — and cannot — take home.
By placing this message in the arrival area, we hope to encourage visitors to make the right choice before they even head to the beach: enjoy our beautiful natural treasures, photograph them, admire them — but leave them where they belong.
💙 This sign is more than just a sign. It is a first welcome, a reminder, and a small step toward protecting Sint Maarten's beaches and reefs for everyone to enjoy.
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Keep the Reef Off the Runway is a conservation initiative led by the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten to combat the illegal removal, trade, and export of marine species and natural materials from the island. Funded by the CITES Secretariat with significant local in-kind support, the project strengthens Sint Maarten’s capacity to monitor, manage, and reduce wildlife trafficking linked to tourism.
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Good initative Fleur!
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you and gratitude for all your work. We couldn't have done it without your help and guidance. Now we are ready to continue efforts next time we organize a clean up! #cupecoybeach
A very special thanks to all of the volunteers who selflessly dedicated their time to assist us, we absolutely could not have done it without them! 🏝️💪🏝️ Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming for everyone, but once we got going with all hands on deck, it was a remarkable improvement and well worth the effort!
This is crazy the sjantity of garbage ! Thanky you so much for what you do. Sad that gouvernment not doing the necessary to keep the island clean. Thank you thank you