STINAPA Bonaire - National Parks Foundation

STINAPA - OUR RELATIONS

STINAPA Bonaire seeks to work cooperatively with organizations that share our goals; there have been many successful working relationships over the years. We have limited the list below to only those organizations we have worked with during the past two years.

Relationships with other non-government organizations

DCNA (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance) – This NGO is established to safeguard the biodiversity of the islands of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. All the NGOs of the Netherlands Antilles islands and Aruba that manage protected areas for their government are members of DCNA. The Managing Director of STINAPA holds the seat of treasurer on the Executive Board of DCNA. Through the DCNA, we now have a relationship with a group of nature protection NGOs in the Netherlands who are members of the Support Group of DCNA in the Netherlands. They assist us with advice and technical assistance.
IUCN NL (International Union for Conservation of Nature) – The Ministry of Kingdom Relations gave its approval for 1 million euros to be passed yearly, for the next ten years, through IUCN NL to DCNA. The condition is that DCNA must build a trust fund, with the intention that the interest generated from the trust fund by the year 2017 be sufficient to cover the basic operation of each of the member parks of DCNA.
WWF-NL (World Wildlife Fund Netherlands) - Our relationship with WWF goes way back to the start-up of the Bonaire Marine Park. As one of the co-founders of the park they have contributed with over one million guilders in grant money to STINAPA/Bonaire National Marine Park over the past 25 years. We often turn to the WWF for advice and support. On their part they are very proud of us and use Bonaire as an example of a well-managed underwater park in all their presentations and campaigns. WWF-NL is a member of the DCNA Support Group in the Netherlands.
Stichting DOEN – Stichting DOEN, a NGO from the Netherlands granted us funds to construct the housing facilities and to replace the fence in the Washington Slagbaai National Park.
PBCF – (Prins Bernhard Cultuur Fonds van Aruba en de Nederlandse Antillen) has supported the Washington Slagbaai National Park very well over the last years. They provided funds for informational materials where visitors are able to receive information and education about different aspects of the park.
Aliansa Naturalesa Bonaire – All the nature protection NGOs of Bonaire, including STINAPA Bonaire, are members of this organization. The voice of Aliansa is mostly heard when there is a threat to nature on Bonaire.
STCB (Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire) – STCB monitors sea turtles in Bonaire’s waters and on its beaches and we cooperate with them on many different levels.
CURO (Counsel of Underwater Resort Operators) – The members of this organization and their employees are our eyes underwater. The success of the Marine Park is greatly due to the good relationship we have with CURO and its members. It is a tradition that the manager of the BNMP attends the monthly meetings of CURO. The goal is to keep the members informed of the innovations of the park. CURO has a seat on the board of STINAPA Bonaire.
BONHATA (Bonaire Hospitality and Tourism Association) – Bonhata has a seat on the board of STINAPA Bonaire. Through the BONHATA office we keep contact with the hotel members of the organization.
TCB (Tourism Corporation Bonaire) – TCB has a seat on the board of STINAPA Bonaire. The TCB office in Bonaire and the overseas representatives support us by distributing our collateral materials and distributing information about the parks to potential visitors.
Jong Bonaire – Since the establishment of Jong Bonaire, an after school program for teenagers, we have had a great relationship with this organization. Each year they allow us to bring nature conservation and preservation education programs to these youngsters.
CARMABI – (Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity) – CARMABI has many years of research experience in the islands of the Netherlands Antilles. CARMABI has been assisting us in the project of re forestation and has been giving us advice on different nature related issues.
Fundashon Salba nos Lora - Foundation to save the Parrot. Together with this foundation the yearly parrot count is organized. A group of scientists from the University of Sheffield, UK have been doing valuable research on our Yellowshouldered parrot Amazona barbadensis rothschildi, an endangered species.

Relationships with governmental departments and others

DROB/MNB (Dienst Ruimtelijke Ontwikkeling en Beheer/Milieu en Natuurbeheer) – The Managing Director has an ongoing relationship with the Department of Environment and Nature Management of the Island Government. In our meetings we share information about the activities and progress of the projects in the parks and discuss policy.
SEK (Servisio di Edukashon i Kultura) – Our relationship with the education department of the Island Government is very important to the planning and execution of our education projects for youth. This relationship also serves to remind education decision makers to include the subject of Nature Protection and Conservation when it comes to the development of school curriculum.
JAZ (Juridische en Algemene Zaken) – We had good contact with the legal department of the island government this year. We worked jointly with them and the Department of Environment and Nature Management on the new Nature Ordinance for Bonaire.
CMM (Commissie Marien Milieu) – This committee was formed in 1991 when the Island Council approved the Marine Ordinance. It is an independent committee that gives advice, solicited or unsolicited, to the government on all issues related to the marine environment. The Bonaire National Marine Park is an advisor to this committee and its manager attends the monthly meetings.
VOMIL (Ministry of Public Health and Social Development/Department of Environment & Nature Conservation) – This Central Government department assists us with advice and counseling regarding nature conservation issues. They also manage two (2) small grant funds: MINA (Milieu Fonds Nederlandse Antillen) and KNAP (Kleine Natuur Projecten). We have several projects that were funded by these grants. Through this department Bonaire received technical assistance in order to finish the Nature Ordinance for Bonaire.
Schools – Our relationship with the principals and teachers of the schools at all levels is very good. The schools are our vehicle to reach the children to provide education on nature protection and conservation.
Kustwacht van de Nederlandse Antillen & Aruba –The Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba have assisted us for the past years during the Bonaire International Sailing Regatta. This yearly event is the biggest event in the Marine Park with the largest number of people in attendance.
Public Prosecutor – The public prosecutor assists us in all legal issues and is our advisor whenever we are in doubt about a case. We seek advice from him when items need to be confiscated.
The police and the security service of the government (SSV) – We participate with these two governmental departments in the monthly patrols. On an ad hoc basis we call them for assistance whenever the rangers feel this is needed.
Selibon (Servisio di Limpiesa di Boneiru) – The local hygiene company. Together we participate in the yearly beach clean ups.
The local media – It is of vital importance that we maintain our good working relationship with the local media. The members of Bonaire’s media corps recognize the need for the preservation and protection of our island’s natural resources. They cooperate very well with us in spreading the word.