SABA:--- The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), on behalf of the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF) and the Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM), is pleased to announce the visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands to Sint Maarten and Saba from November 12 to 15, 2024. As the patroness of DCNA, the Princess’s visit will highlight nature conservation and social initiatives on the islands.
During her time in Sint Maarten on November 13-14, the Princess will visit Emilio Wilson Park, where she will attend a spoken word event where poems, stories, and monologues about native and invasive species affect the natural areas of their islands and how they can become ‘nature’s defenders.’ The Princess will also plant a native tree in the park, emphasizing the importance of nature conservation. At Milton Peters College, she will join a lesson on marine spatial planning hosted by the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten (NFSXM), which supports sustainable marine management. The Princess will also tour EPIC’s Perpetual Plastics Program, a local recycling initiative, where she will hear from the NFSXM’s Junior Rangers about the impact of plastic waste.
On November 14, HMS Princess Beatrix will take a short stroll along the recently completed Salt Pond boardwalk to learn about the local birds. She will also take a short boat trip along Mullet Bay, the only RAMSAR site on the island, to learn about the importance of the local mangroves. She will also get to visit Little Key, an area at the heart of new proposed legislation that would make this area the first protected nature park on St. Maarten. On the afternoon of November 14, she will preside over the reopening of Princess Juliana International Airport, which was rebuilt after Hurricane Irma.
On November 15 in Saba, the Princess will visit the Saba Conservation Foundation’s (SCF) Saba Research Center, a maritime research laboratory where researchers from Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and Wageningen University explain the value of sea urchin breeding efforts aiding coral restoration. At Queen Wilhelmina Park, she will unveil a new nameplate for the Jantje Benton community space and meet with local children involved in the renovation. Her visit will also include the Botanical Garden, where Junior Rangers will demonstrate reforestation efforts, and the youth center ‘The Spot’, where discussions will focus on Unicef’s Child Friendly Cities project.
HMS Princess Beatrix’s visit underscores the importance of nature education and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean while also supporting community well-being through social projects. Her presence is a reflection of her dedication to the natural environment and local communities. As DCNA continues its focus on strengthening Nature Education efforts, this visit highlights its need in order to achieve greater impact with nature conservation on the islands. DCNA has developed its Approach to Education, which will drive the efforts of nature education through its alliance partners. The hope is to instill an appreciation for nature while creating environmental stewards in the Dutch Caribbean.
"We are privileged to welcome HMS Princess Beatrix, whose dedication to nature conservation aligns with our mission to preserve the unique natural heritage of Sint Maarten and Saba," said Arno Verhoeven of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. "Her visit is a testament to the importance of community involvement in safeguarding our natural environment."
