ST. EUSTATIUS – Next week the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) has chosen St. Eustatius to hold its board meeting from March 21-23, in the public library.
DCNA is the umbrella organization for the six National parks organizations on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, Saba and Statia. All islands are represented on the board, as well as other Caribbean nature organizations and independent board members.
DCNA has been a strong supporter of safeguarding nature on Statia through the years, and has assisted St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) with funding and capacity building. Additionally, DCNA is a strong partner in the upcoming Shark week, a huge outreach event in Statia and the other Caribbean islands to create awareness about the protection of endangered sharks and rays in the sea.
During the board meeting, there will be discussions about sustainable funding of the national parks, closer cooperation with Foundation Samenwerkingsverband Nationale Parken (SNP) in the Netherlands, and the future role for DCNA for the six islands.
On Monday, March 20, the board will meet local dignitaries and for March 23, a field trip to the marine park is scheduled.
Board president Tadzio Bervoets, presently working in St. Maarten as manager of the St. Maarten Nature Foundation, is looking forward to coming to Statia. “I have worked on the island as Marine Park manager and this has been a tremendous experience for me. With DCNA there is a powerful platform for close cooperation within the islands. Likewise between DCNA and governments. We are of the opinion that nature and economic development go hand in hand and are looking forward to developing new plans,” he said.
The patrons of DCNA are her royal highness Princess Beatrix, Jaime Saleh and Nico Visser.
