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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@aucmed_edu
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@grantthorntonsxm
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
📰 PRESS RELEASE 📰
The Nature Foundation is supporting the advancement of sustainable fisheries on Sint Maarten through our ongoing fisher workshops, incentivized catch monitoring, and hands-on community collaboration. 🎣🌊
From equipping local fishers with safety equipment and catch measurement tools to building ocean literacy at the Simpson Bay Fish Market, we are working hand-in-hand with our fisheries sector to protect marine life and secure long-term livelihoods.
A sincere thank you to our fishers, vendors, and partners for their collaboration and engagement, and to the BESTLIFE2030 grant program for making this vital work possible.
Read more: naturefoundationsxm.org/news
Following the exciting news that the Sint Maarten Insular Shelf has been officially recognized as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA), the official fact sheet is now available for public viewing! 💙
Why does this coastal area matter, and what’s ISRA, anyway?
🦈 ISRA is a prestigious scientific designation - not a legal regulation - that proclaims a particular area to be of high value to the conservation of sharks and rays. It does not establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA).
🦈 Extensive data has showed that Sint Maarten’s waters - including the Man of War Shoal Marine Park - provide essential shallow and shelf habitats vital for the survival, feeding, and breeding of sharks and rays.
🦈 Three primary species of conservation interest were identified: Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi), tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) and whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari).
🦈 Identifying discrete habitats as ISRAs helps management authorities, marine scientists, and environmental policymakers target spatial protections where sharks and rays need them most.
🦈 As sharks and rays are already protected in Sint Maarten’s waters, this ISRA is an additional honor - legally, these species have been calling our waters a sanctuary since 2011.
🦈 The work behind this designation involved dozens of researchers, management authorities, funders, and supporters, including the Caribbean Shark Coalition and the Shark Conservation Fund.
Healthy shark and ray populations keep entire marine ecosystems in balance, and this great news indicates that are marine ecosystems are still resilient enough to support these creatures. 🐠🪸
Learn more at sharkrayareas.org/portfolio-item/sint-maarten-insular-shelf-isra/ or visit the link in our bio.
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This post was part of the MENAA project, funded by IUCN Bestlife2030, which supports Sint Maarten's marine areas as nurseries for sharks, rays, and other species crucial to reef health and fishery stability.
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Time flies when you're having fun in Sint Maarten's iconic Man of War Shoal Marine Park... 🌊
Learn more about this regionally-designated marine area on our website at the link in our bio or at naturefoundationsxm.org/marine-park/.
Here, you'll find information on:
🔵 How to register your vessel
🔵 Our local dive shop options
🔵 Official coordinates of the park
🔵 Biodiversity and archaeological value
And much more!
📸 : C. Bonnardel
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We were very honored to present about the Dutch Caribbean Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan last week for CITES Day in the Netherlands!𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐚𝐲 & 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐏
We had the honour to talk about the Dutch Caribbean Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan at the National CITES day in The Hague. Our colleague, Leslie Hickerson from Nature Foundation Sint Maarten, presented the sea turtle work that's currently being done on the islands in the Dutch Caribbean. A big thank you to the National CITES Coordinator for the invitation and to Leslie for presenting!
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