The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten, a local environmental conservation non-profit, was among a small group of delegates at the high-level OCTA Ministerial Conference on April 11 in Aruba, to present on the need for increased, long-term biodiversity funding across Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). Part of the 21st OCTs-EU Forum, the occasion allowed beneficiaries of the BESTLIFE2030 Programme to communicate directly with top-ranking ministers and regional authorities of OCTs, the European Commission, Member States, and regional stakeholders.
Project Manager Sabrine Brismeur, a resident of Saint-Martinois parentage, represented the Nature Foundation alongside three other program beneficiaries from Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Eustatius, along with IUCN BESTLIFE2030 coordination team. Over the course of an hour, the group made the case for why the EU must continue to scale up investment in biodiversity initiatives in the OCTs, drawing on their direct experience implementing various projects.
The invitation also served as an opportunity for the Nature Foundation to share its experience and feedback on BESTLIFE2030 directly with its coordinators. EU-funded programs like BESTLIFE2030, while incredibly valuable, are noted for their rigorous administration and reporting requirements, which can be difficult for small, capacity-strained organizations to meet. Communication and relationships between on-the-ground practitioners and high-level grant administrators are essential to improving the conditions and outcomes of successful projects.
“These sorts of programs are critical to our work on Sint Maarten and allow us to carry out projects that are innovative, targeted, or long overdue,” said Brismeur. “Funding for biodiversity conservation among our islands is low, especially for extremely small NGOs like the Nature Foundation — which does not benefit from sustainability or nature fees, head taxes, environmental fines, or even nature park entry tickets, since we are the only island in the Dutch Caribbean without a terrestrial park.”
Programs including BESTLIFE2030 — a grantmaking mechanism focused on preserving and restoring biodiversity in the EU’s outermost regions (ORs) and OCTs — are funded by the EU to advance shared global biodiversity commitments. Through the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sint Maarten is party to various treaties including the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol and the 30×30 targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
“Biodiversity conservation is not just about wildlife itself, but about how species and ecosystems help sustain economies, generate savings, feed populations, improve health, protect infrastructure, and root culture,” said Brismeur. “For example, our project ties together the capacity of sustainable fisheries and elasmobranchs – sharks and rays – to provide long-term benefits for our local fishers.”
The Nature Foundation would like to sincerely thank the coordinators of IUCN BESTLIFE2030 Programme and OCTA for the invitation and opportunity, as well as the policymakers, politicians, and civil servants present in the room for listening and considering the presentation.
The Nature Foundation’s BESTLIFE2030 project, MENAA (Marine Elasmobranch Nursery Area Advocacy), seeks to build a foundation for the long-term success of Sint Maarten’s marine and coastal areas, particularly for sharks and rays. Research shows that local waters serve as a nursery for species including tiger sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays. These animals are crucial for reef health and fishery stability but remain threatened by poaching and ghost nets, despite existing local protections.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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!
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! 🌿💙
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for doing this it looks amazing i was there with my bike tour guest yesterday. it was a pleasure to the nice job that was done
Great job! What a big difference
Great work, Looking great!!!
