Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands will visit Sint Eustatius and Bonaire from Tuesday, November 18 to Friday, November 21. The visit focuses on the work of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and social initiatives on the islands. The Princess is patron of DCNA.
Bonaire
Tuesday, November 18
Washington Slagbaai National Park
In the morning, Princess Beatrix visits Washington Slagbaai National Park. The mountainous terrain with cactus forests, aloe fields, rock formations, salt lakes, limestone caves, sand dunes, blowholes, and crumbling limestone terraces is home to many special plants and animals. The Princesss visit takes place during the week of the annual Festival di Planta Palu event, a tree-planting festival for primary school children to show their love for nature. After the plenary session, Princess Beatrix plants a tree together with some children. Then she receives a guided tour of the protected nature area by the Bonaire National Parks Foundation (STINAPA), explaining the location, history, importance of protected areas, and nature restoration.
Jantje Beton
Next, the Princess visits the first playground on the island realized by Jantje Beton. Since 1968, Jantje Beton has been committed together with children to more and more challenging play spaces and play opportunities. Children actively contributed to the design. The Princess is guided by the playground designer and speaks with some children. Then she goes to an old playground that is being redeveloped with the help of local residents and organizations into a new green inclusive play and meeting place for young and old. Princess Beatrix gives the starting signal for the construction of this project. Princess Beatrix is patron of Jantje Beton.
Tera Barra
In the afternoon, Princess Beatrix visits Tera Barra. This is a non-profit organization committed to the ecological restoration of Bonaire through reforestation and nature restoration. On a five-hectare site just outside Kralendijk, Tera Barra cultivates native plant species that are later planted on the island to prevent erosion, strengthen biodiversity, and restore natural vegetation. The site also serves as a demonstration and education place where visitors can see how nature restoration works in practice. The Princess takes a walk through the garden and speaks with volunteers.
Wednesday, November 19
Mangrove Maniac
In the morning, Princess Beatrix visits a project on the south coast of Bonaire by the Mangrove Maniacs, an organization committed to the restoration and preservation of mangroves on the island. Mangroves are coastal forests of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that have important ecological value because they protect coastlines against erosion. They also serve as nurseries for fish and important habitats for young sea turtles. Because mangroves are located at the boundary between land and sea, they trap sediment harmful to coral reefs. The Princess is informed about the importance of mangroves and how the Mangrove Maniacs try to protect and restore these trees. Then the Princess will help plant a mangrove tree with young people from the STINAPA Junior Ranger Program, which trains youth to become nature protectors and ambassadors for the island environment. Finally, she speaks with some Junior Rangers about their experiences within the program and the importance of their nature education and restoration projects.
Reef Renewal Foundation
Afterwards, the Princess visits the Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire (RRFB). This non-profit organization is committed to the restoration and preservation of coral reefs around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. Coral fragments and larvae are cultivated in underwater nurseries and later planted to give damaged reefs new life. By cultivating different species and increasing genetic diversity, the reefs become more resilient to diseases and climate change. Besides research and monitoring, RRFB actively involves the local community, volunteers, and dive schools in restoration and education. In the RRFB laboratory, the Princess receives an explanation of the breeding program and can see the different stages of coral growth.
UNICEF
In the afternoon, the Princess goes to the Public Library where UNICEF, together with young people, gives a presentation about UNICEFs research on climate change. After a short introduction, Princess Beatrix speaks with young people who use visual materials to tell about the impact of climate change on their lives. This is followed by a roundtable discussion with young people who actively participated in the Raising our Future campaign. This annual campaign supports educators in creating a positive and safe upbringing environment. The young people explain how important it is to grow up in a safe home. Princess Beatrix is patron of UNICEF.
Sint Eustatius
Friday, November 21
Reforestatia
In the morning, Princess Beatrix visits a nursery of Reforestatia, part of the reforestation project of the Sint Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA). Young native plants and trees are cultivated in the greenhouse. The project contributes to biodiversity on the island and reduces erosion and sediment runoff to the ocean. The Princess receives a tour of the greenhouse and explanation from Rangers about the various plant species.
Subsequently, the Princess receives an explanation about the protection of the Antillean iguana, a native species threatened with extinction on the island. This iguana only occurs on the Windward Islands. Through breeding programs, the population on Sint Eustatius is maintained. One of the STENAPA staff will release an Antillean iguana near the nursery in the presence of the Princess.
UNICEF
Next, Princess Beatrix visits the Public Library where the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), a UNICEF program, is discussed. This program supports municipalities in structurally embedding childrens rights in policy and practice so that every decision and provision contributes to a safe, inclusive, and opportunity-rich environment for all children. The Princess receives an explanation from several young people, using self-made creative expressions, about the programs action points. Themes include child rights assessments, youth participation, and mental health.
Government Guest House
In the afternoon, Princess Beatrix visits the Government Guest House in the historic center of Oranjestad, where STENAPA explains the importance of cooperation in environmental management and the connection between culture and nature. The Princess plants a tree together with STENAPA and community members to symbolize the bond between STENAPA and the community.
Opening STENAPA Location
Then the Princess opens the Kings Well National Parks Center, the new location of STENAPA. The center serves as a modern headquarters for nature management, research, and education. After the plenary program, the Princess receives a tour and explanation in the laboratory. Then she speaks with several Junior Rangers about the importance of nature management.
The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is a non-profit organization established to protect nature in the Dutch Caribbean and originated as an alliance between Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF), Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI), Nature Foundation Sint Maarten (NFSXM), Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), Sint Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA), and Bonaire National Parks Foundation (STINAPA Bonaire). The nature organizations on the six islands of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom have joined forces for improved nature management, sustainable fundraising, nature education, and knowledge exchange.
RVD, no. 303
