Nature summer camp will be offered in 2025

Over the past few weeks the Nature Foundation, together with talented artist Nascha Kagie and an amazing group of community volunteers, brought some new life and color to the shaded area at the Great Salt Pond Birding Platform in Philipsburg!

The shapes, patterns, and colors of the artwork were inspired by two fundamental inhabitants of our ponds: pelicans and mangroves 🦤🌱
These beautiful species are an essential part of our local ecosystems, and we are so happy to see them represented in a space where the community can enjoy and learn about nature.
Next time you`re passing by the bird platform bring your binoculars, take a seat, and enjoy one of Sint Maarten`s most special natural spaces!

A project like this would not have been possible without the incredible support of our community. A huge thank you to every volunteer who came out, picked up a brush, and helped turn this idea into reality 💚

A very special thank you to Nascha Kagie for designing the artwork and bringing her creativity to the project, and to Island Gems Charity Foundation for generously donating all the painting materials that made this project possible 🎨

This is what community and conservation look like when we work together! 🌿💙

🪶 In recent months, the Nature Foundation had the honor of caring for a very special guest. This brown pelican, who we called "Rocky," earned his name because of his rocky start.

🌊 Rocky was reported by a visitor at the Divi Little Bay property near Fort Amsterdam - the only currently recorded nesting site for brown pelicans on the island- after washing up on a rocky beach. When our ranger arrived, she found that Rocky couldn`t fly, walk, stand, or even react.

🩺 He was in critical condition. Rocky was rushed to the veterinarian for diagnostics and was immediately started on fluids and medication to treat a suspected diagnosis of botulism. Once he arrived at his recovery area, he began daily water therapy and gentle physical therapy to help prevent further loss of movement.

🐟 Just a few days later, Rocky was able to stand and eat on his own. Soon after, he began taking his first steps. Every milestone gave both our staff and veterinarians renewed optimism. Before long, Rocky began stretching his wings every day. Additional wing-strengthening exercises were introduced, and slowly his confidence grew. He started flying down from elevated spaces, then onto parked cars. He glided into his pool to catch fish and behaved more and more like a healthy wild pelican.

🌅 After nearly a month of treatment, it was time. Our staff returned Rocky to where he was found. As the crate door opened, he stepped out slowly and looked around. Then, finally, he spread his wings and soared over the water before circling back toward the breeding rocks. In that moment, he flew into the sky as though he had never left it.

📢 Stories like Rocky`s remind us why wildlife rescue matters. Botulism is commonly caused by ingesting spoiled fish contaminated with a deadly neurotoxin. It is a serious condition that can be fatal if not treated quickly. If you ever see a seabird or shorebird that is unable to fly or walk, please contact us immediately.

💙 We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the veterinarians who always make time when wildlife needs them most, to Abri voor Dieren for their support, and to every donor who makes rescues like Rocky`s possible.

"What nature is even left to protect on Sint Maarten?" 🇸🇽

We hear this from locals and tourists, from lifelong islanders and newcomers, from people who love nature and people who`ve never seen the value of it.

It always hurts to hear, but this statement is borne from an uncomfortable fact: over the decades, St. Maarten has indeed lost much of its natural beauty and biodiversity to poor planning and management practices. But the island still packs a punch as a regional biodiversity hotspot, and there`s still so much worth protecting.

That`s why we`re so grateful for WOW`s (@wowthenaturefilm) beautiful episode on Sint Maarten`s nature. Framing the island as “one of contrasts” — where urban development, intense hurricanes, and rich biodiversity all coexist — the episode spotlights two things that make us stand out:

🦈 Our coastal waters as a potential breeding and pupping nursery for tiger sharks
🦅 Our rocky coastline as a significant rookery and breeding site for brown pelicans

Both species are regionally important here, and both have an uncertain future. Protecting their habitat from harm and these species from human disturbances matters for both our island and the wider region that depends on them.

There is so much value in protecting our other species, ecosystems, and natural spaces we have in our country — not only for the health of the environment, but for our connection to nature as a society, the preservation of heritage and traditions, the physical and mental benefits that come from spending time in natural areas, and so much more.

Our team was glad to contribute to the shark tagging, birding, and diving segments, alongside other local experts and voices who brought incredibly valuable perspectives. Thanks to the WOW team and everyone who helped bring this episode to life.

🎥 Watch the 30-minute episode (and the sister island episodes) here: https://npo.nl/start/serie/natuur-in-de-cariben/afleveringen

It was a super busy weekend for our team and sea turtle lovers on Sint Maarten! 🐢✨

In just 24 hours, we received four nesting reports across Simpson Bay Beach and Gibbs Bay - three on Simpson Bay alone, with two confirmed egg layings! A huge thank you to the observant community members who reported these sightings and set up barricades so our team could collect data and set up protective nest barriers.

As we head into the peak of sea turtle nesting season, sightings of nesting females and emerging hatchlings will become more common. Despite heavy human activity on popular beaches like Simpson Bay, Dawn Beach, and Mullet Bay, these resilient turtles keep coming back.

Share this with a friend or family member to help safeguard SXM`s sea turtles:

📞 Report immediately: Call +1 (721) 544-4267 (business hours) or WhatsApp +1 (721) 581-6365 (after-hours).
💡 Keep it dark: Turn off bright white lights, flashlights, and camera flashes.
🤫 Keep your distance: Stay at least 50m (150ft) away, move slowly, and stay quiet.
🐕 Leash pets: Keep dogs restrained and away from the area.
🗣️ Speak up: Kindly educate anyone you see disturbing a turtle or nest.
🇫🇷 On French Saint-Martin? Report to Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin via WhatsApp: +590 690 47 02 13 or +590 690 34 77 10.
📲 Share this post to spread the word!