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
Our ocean is part of who we are, and now you have the chance to experience it like never before with a public screening of Oceans with David Attenborough!
This stunning documentary shows the wonders and vitality of the ocean, its fragility and, most importantly, our ability to protect it.
📅 Date: October 4th, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – ~9:00 PM
📍 Location: Van Dorp Space (41 Airport Rd, Simpson Bay)
🎫 Entrance: FREE (registration required – spots are limited!)
🍢 Light refreshments will be served
👉Scan the QR code and register now to secure your spot: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOQqIXiXyD6xW8f2LPJi587G_t1Bh6KULqRowMVph7y1shWw/viewform?usp=header
This special evening is organized in collaboration with Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and WWF
@reviveourocean @silverback_films @openplanetorg @natgeo
Sep 5
🌿 Today’s Mangrove Memoir features Jadira Veen, president of the St. Maarten Pride Foundation! Since 2000, Pride has evolved from a grassroots anti-litter campaign into a holistic environmental advocacy group, tackling everything from pollution to overdevelopment. Jadira shares her personal memories of mangroves and the foundation’s journey into mangrove protection.
🌱 Jadira recalls the mangroves at the now destroyed pond around Dawn Beach from her childhood: “The original Dawn Beach hotel had integrated a healthy mangrove pond into its design. Back in the ’70s, development often worked with nature. That pond was a thriving ecosystem—ringed with mangroves, home to fish, and fed by rainwater runoff. It even had a charming wooden bridge that guests would walk across—I remember it vividly from my childhood.
🛑 Pride’s first targeted mangrove advocacy began in the early 2000s, when developers destroyed this thriving mangrove pond at the old Dawn Beach hotel site. “They drained it into the sea. It was heartbreaking. That pond could’ve been preserved. Instead, nature was treated as an obstacle. Ironically, the new hotel’s parking garage started flooding soon after.”
🌊 Jadira also reflects on the transformation of Simpson Bay Lagoon, and how St. Maarten’s environment has changed through the years — and not for the better.
Check out Jadira’s interview at: https://naturefoundationsxm.org/mangrove-memoirs/
And learn more about this #SXMMangroves series at https://naturefoundationsxm.org/nfprojects/mangroves
Aug 30
We’re closing out our Mangrove Policy Protection Project (MP3) with a little musical video filmed at Mullet Pond! 🎶 🌱
Coastal life on the island of St. Martin depends on mangroves, from birds and fish to oysters and sponges. But these salt loving trees are quietly struggling for space to healthily flourish, especially here on Sint Maarten. Habitat loss and pollution are heavily impacting the ability of mangroves to do their job, which in part keeps us safe. Mangroves at optimal health and size can protect us from strong waves, storm surge, and carbon absorption.
Help us help mangroves:
Participate in mangrove replanting across both sides of the island
♴ Reduce plastic pollution by limiting the use of single use plastics
🗣️ Talk about mangroves and their importance with family and friends
🗳️ Communicate your stance on mangroves to your elected officials
🧐 And help us by taking part in surveys used to implement legal policy
Learn more about #SXMMangroves: https://naturefoundationsxm.org/nfprojects/mangroves/
Aug 29
In the past 24 hours, our rangers responded to two separate sea turtle incidents in Simpson Bay, within minutes of being notified. We are sad to say both had unfortunate outcomes.
🐢 Yesterday afternoon, we checked on a nest believed to have been laid a few weeks ago near a beach bar. Sadly, it was too close to the surface and had been trampled. Several eggs were already destroyed when our rangers arrived. We’ve since relocated the remaining eggs to a safer, quieter location.
🐢 Early this morning, we were called to a different beach hotel where staff spotted a nesting female turtle. Unfortunately, she encountered physical barriers like benches and was disturbed by loud noise and human activity. She left quickly, likely scared off before she could lay her eggs.
We truly appreciate the reports from the public and staff. But we cannot stress this enough: sea turtles MUST NOT BE DISTURBED. They are protected by national law and deserve our respect. For years, we’ve trained beachside staff and shared educational materials with guests. Yet, without fail, these incidents continue to happen— every single year.
Share this with your colleagues, friends, and family:
If you see a sea turtle on the beach (adult or hatchlings)...
📞 Contact Nature Foundation - Immediately send a text or call 721-544-4267 (business hours) or 721-581-6365 (after-hours)
💡 Lights out - Turn off all bright white and flashing lights, including camera lights and flashlights
🤫 Slow down - Maintain a distance of at least 50m (150ft), keep your movements slow, and be silent
🐕 Leash up - Restrain dogs and prevent other animals from approaching them to investigate or bark
🗣️ Speak out - If someone is disturbing a turtle, kindly ask them to stop and explain why it matters
Aug 26
Photos from Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin's post
🚨 CALL FOR WITNESSES 🚨
Last Friday, we were saddened to respond to a call about an injured whitespotted eagle ray with a spear embedded in it. This distressed animal was seen swimming on the surface of the Simpson Bay Lagoon near the Causeway Bridge. Our team quickly went out to search after a concerned resident sent us a video of it, but we were not able to locate it.
⚖️ As a reminder: Intentionally fishing, injuring, capturing, or killing of rays is strictly prohibited and punishable by law on Sint Maarten. On French Saint-Martin, the hunting of rays is strictly forbidden unless you are a professional fisherman with a valid permit.
❗ Given the suspect’s apparent inability to dispatch this ray humanely and effectively and their potential lack of respect for local laws, we doubt this ray was legally or ethically targeted by a professional. We urge users of pole spears, Hawaiian slings, and spearguns (legal only with a weapons permit on Sint Maarten) to follow safety precautions and be properly trained before entering the water to reduce unnecessary harm to marine life.
🦈 Whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) are a protected species under the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol, of which both sides of the island are parties to. These rays are also considered to be an ‘Endangered’ species by the IUCN Red List.
💙 Why care about rays? As keystone species, rays play a critical role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Their predation, filter feeding, and place in the food chain help shape our oceans. The global decline of the whitespotted eagle ray is driven by habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and, in other places, hunting. Please help us protect our Caribbean rays and in turn, our oceans.
📞 If you have any information about this incident, we urge you to call or message 721-544-4267 (business hours) or 721-581-6365 (after hours) to forward this information to the relevant authorities. Requests for anonymity will be respected.
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Cowards!
sickening!!!
Happy World Dolphin Day, Sint Maarten!
🌊 This group of marine mammals — cetaceans in the Delphinidae family — are categorized by some characteristics like cone-shaped teeth, a streamlined body, a curved dorsal fin, and a melon.
🇸🇽 The waters around Saint Martin are visited by at least five species of dolphins: Spinner dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, the short-finned pilot whale, and the orca. Many residents and tourists often see dolphins enthusiastically swimming alongside boats here!
⚓️ To protect these animals from collisions or unwanted interference, do not intentionally approach dolphins within 300 meters whether by boat, jet ski, drone, kayak, or any other means. Of course, if they voluntarily come to hang out, that's a different story! In that case, we encourage you to reduce speed to 5 knots and modify the course only in the case of collision.
🔊 Did you know a dolphin’s 'melon' doesn’t refer to some fruit it carries around, but a fatty organ that is used for echolocation. This organ changes shape to direct sound. Due to the conditions of the ocean (unclear and dark at times), it is vital for a dolphin to use echolocation to map out their surroundings, communicate with others, and find food.
🐠 Dolphins, commonly adored for their intelligence and cute demeanor, are important environmentally as apex predators. By consuming fish and invertebrates, they maintain populations and avoid overpopulation of some species. They are also great indicators of how the environment is doing.
🎣 To protect dolphins, one thing you can do is ensure the fish you consume is collected by a sustainable fishery. A big danger to dolphins is entanglement in discarded fishing lines like FADs and old nets. If you like to fish or know someone that fishes, remember to never throw fishing line overboard and leave it out for extended periods.
🐬 Dolphins are amazingly intelligent and beautiful animals—let’s remember not just today but every day to protect them so we can continue to share our waters with them.
📸 Photo credits: Caribbean Cetacean Society
1 CommentComment on Facebook
My favorite water mammals then comes the whales
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