First in-depth health assessment of Sint Maarten’s coral reefs completed by Nature Foundation

Posted on by sabrineo

Image 3: A French grunt (Haemulon flavlineatum) swims along a transect line. The Nature Foundation has completed its first comprehensive analysis of the health of Sint Maarten’s coral reefs. Utilizing data collected by the organization since 2016, a tropical marine ecologist found that Sint Maarten’s coral reefs are in poor condition but have not appeared … Continue reading First in-depth health assessment of Sint Maarten’s coral reefs completed by Nature Foundation

First confirmed sea turtle nest of the 2024 season laid on Maho Beach

Posted on by sabrineo

Pictured: The first nest of Sint Maarten's 2024 nesting season was laid in the middle of Maho Beach by a leatherback, the largest species of sea turtle globally. The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten has confirmed the first recorded sea turtle nesting incident of the season on Maho Beach. Responding to a report from a concerned … Continue reading First confirmed sea turtle nest of the 2024 season laid on Maho Beach

“Collaborative Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean”

Posted on by sabrineo

Pictured: Environmental actors and stakeholders from across the Dutch Caribbean attended the seminar, focused on collaborative efforts in restoration, in Saba on April 16, 2024. On April 16, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) organized a seminar on Saba on the critical role of collaboration in ecosystem restoration for the Dutch Caribbean. Aimed at promoting … Continue reading “Collaborative Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean”

“EPIC concludes field work for terrestrial biodiversity assessment on Sint Maarten”

Posted on by sabrineo

Pictured: EPIC conducted thorough assessments of biodiversity across key locations and trained Nature Foundation staff in local plant identification. The foundation Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) has completed field surveys and training for the terrestrial baseline biodiversity assessment, as part of the COastal REsilience Needs Assessments (CORENA) project, with the objective to provide information … Continue reading “EPIC concludes field work for terrestrial biodiversity assessment on Sint Maarten”

Hillside Christian Schools celebrate “Plant-A-Tree Day” with the Nature Foundation 

Posted on by sabrineo

Image 1: Mrs. Asha Stevens explains the importance of "putting down roots" to school children. On March 22, the Hillside Christian Schools planted 31 Surinamese cherry trees and 1 basil plant on school grounds for Plant-A-Tree Day. Two planting events were organized at both the Helmich Snijders and Asha Stevens campuses as part of Biodiversity … Continue reading Hillside Christian Schools celebrate “Plant-A-Tree Day” with the Nature Foundation 

Shark activity around Sint Maarten dive sites tracked by Blue Marine Foundation

Posted on by Grace Bregenzer

Pictured: Caribbean reef shark circling above Shark Hotel, also known as Big Mama's Reef Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezii) are a popular sight for divers in the waters off Sint Maarten, as they play a critical role in maintaining a healthy reef ecosystem. Their presence helps control other fish populations, which subsequently prevents overgrazing on … Continue reading Shark activity around Sint Maarten dive sites tracked by Blue Marine Foundation

Inauguration of Great Salt Pond birding platform brings out dozens for ecotourism

Posted on by sabrineo

Pictured: Minister of VROMI Doran and Nature Foundation Board Chairman Mr. van Es cut the ribbon of the birding platform. PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten, 15 December 2023 - The Great Salt Pond Birding Platform was officially inaugurated on the morning of Thursday, December 14, 2023, in a simple ceremony along Suckergarden Road, next to the Freedom … Continue reading Inauguration of Great Salt Pond birding platform brings out dozens for ecotourism

Government-led project to improve management of St. Maarten’s marine environment underway

Posted on by sabrineo

Pictured: The CORENA team visits Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School in Dutch Quarter to teach students the importance of environmental planning. Sint Maarten will work to advance its progress towards sustainable and resilient management of the island’s coastal and marine environment through a €633,000 research-based project supported by the RESEMBID grant programme. The … Continue reading Government-led project to improve management of St. Maarten’s marine environment underway

“The Science Behind Protecting Birds”

Posted on by sabrineo

Photo + photo credit: Antillean crested hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) by Rostislav Stach (SHAPE/DCNA)- all rights reserved KRALENDIJK, BONAIRE, 16 October 2023 - A new DCNA project "Monitoring for Bird Biodiversity Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean" has officially been launched. Through combining enhanced training, field surveys and the use of a standardized monitoring programme, local nature … Continue reading “The Science Behind Protecting Birds”

“Silent Reef Keepers: The Fight to Save the Caribbean Reef Shark”

Posted on by sabrineo

Photo credit: Jim Abernathy - all rights reserved The Kingdom of the Netherlands will ask for increased protection for the Caribbean reef shark during next month’s Conference of Parties for the Cartagena Convention (COPs) on Aruba. Caribbean reef sharks play a critical role in maintaining a healthy reef ecosystem and building resilience within the oceans. … Continue reading “Silent Reef Keepers: The Fight to Save the Caribbean Reef Shark”