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On behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) together with local organizations made a nature television program highlighting the results of some of the ‘Nature Funding’ projects of each of the public entities of Bonaire, Saba en St. Eustatius. The program premiered during Minister Schouten’s visit last month.
Reforestation, coral restoration and much more!
The results from some of the Nature Funding projects were proudly filmed by Bonair TV, where each of the project leaders were interviewed by local interviewers Julianka Clarenda (Bonaire), Angie Ignacio (Saba) and Dorette Courtar (St. Eustatius).
Projects included:
Saba: Local Food production (Public Entity Saba), Tent Reef Protection (Public Entity Saba), Mount Scenery Trails (Public Entity Saba, Saba Conservation Foundation), Saba Bank noise loggers (Saba Conservation Foundation, Wageningen Marine Research)
St. Eustatius: Roaming Animals (Government of St. Eustatius), Coral restoration (Stenapa), Nature Awareness (CNSI), Hurricane Reconstruction (Stenapa, Made in Statia) and Rodent control (CNSI and Eastern Caribbean Public Health Foundation).
Bonaire: reforestation (Echo), Bonaire Caves and Karst Nature Reserve (CARIBSS and WILDCONSCIENCE), ecological restoration of Lac Bay (STINAPA Bonaire and Mangrove Maniacs), coral restoration (Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire), protecting sea turtle nesting sites (Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire) and a sustainable agriculture and rural development program (POP Bonaire).
The results are incredible. Highlights include more than 13.000 newly planted native trees, more than 20.000 transplanted corals, improved water circulation in Lac Bay, hiking, cycling and car trails, lesson-boxes for schools, local food production and much more.
These nature television programs are the crowning glory of the successful cooperation between Dutch and local government and local nature conservation organizations. Let yourself be inspired by their passion for our beautiful nature in the Dutch Caribbean and learn more so you can get involved.
Nature Funding Projects
In the wake of the constitutional change in 2010, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality, as part of its Nature Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands, reserved an amount of $9.8 million for a period of four years to fund overdue maintenance of nature. In particular for projects aimed at preservation of coral especially by erosion prevention, improving the sustainable use of nature, and/or improving the synergy between nature, land use (agriculture) and tourism. These funds have come to be known as the “Nature Funds” or “Natuurgelden”.
The funding was provided to the island governments of the Caribbean Netherlands. Only they could make proposals. The island governments sought out projects based on consultation with nature organizations and/or their own policy priorities.
The Nature Fund got off to a slow start as both the formulation of proposals and process of review, selection and contracting took a lot of time, and many of the original funding proposals did not meet the criteria and had to be modified or amended. Nevertheless, between October 2013 and October 2017 a total of 23 projects were approved, 10 on Bonaire, 7 on Saba and 6 on St. Eustatius. This television program celebrates the achievements of each of these projects, as they all were completed by October 1st, 2019.
Watch the Nature television program online
YouTube: DCNA communication
Complete episodes:
(available with Dutch and English subtitles)
- Facebook: Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance
- Nos ta biba di Naturalesa: https://bibadinaturalesa.com
DCN Nature