| STINAPA - OUR PERSONNEL
Elsmarie Beukenboom
 Born on Bonaire on February 26th 1956
Present position: Director
I started working for STINAPA on December 1st 2003.
I applied for the job because I believe in the vision of Bonaire, which is: ‘Sustainable development, while preserving the nature and culture of our island’. While working for STINAPA I can be an active player in achieving this vision. I strongly believe that Bonaire can have economic development and at the same time safeguard its nature and its culture. To be able to achieve this, though, everybody on this island needs to understand what this means and what it takes. That is the hardest part. Bonaire is a unique island and many things that we have done on this island, and should be doing, have not been done elsewhere. That is what makes it difficult for people to understand that on this island we have to do things the ‘non-conventional way’; we have to look outside of the box. If we don’t, we will very soon be just another island in the Caribbean.
In my daily work I represent the Board of Directors on the work floor and ensure that our staff keeps to the foundation’s mission and objectives. I am the first Director of the foundation. I work with the managers and together we form the Management Team. When I was hired the board gave me the assignment to make the foundation financially sustainable; to increase the awareness of the users and the local population about nature protection; and to make the work of the foundation and its parks known locally as well as internationally. To be able to do this we made a strategic plan for the first three years. At the end of this period our work was evaluated – 78% of our objectives were achieved during the three years. What was not achieved were mostly due to lack of manpower or financial resources. The great thing about my job is being able to work with many different people, internally and externally, and on different levels and on different issues – every day is a different day!
The importance of STINAPA is that we’re safeguarding nature for today’s use and for future generations. Decisions made today will have lasting affects for future generations.
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Ramon de Leon
 Born in Uruguay on November 1st 1962. I came to Bonaire in April 1998.
Present position: Manager of the Bonaire National Marine Park.
I applied for the job because a group of friends convinced me to do so. I wasn’t the only one, more than hundred people applied, but I am a marine biologist and I had been working in the dive industry of Bonaire for a long time. Since the main stakeholder of the Marine Park is the dive industry I thought this double background would be useful to work in this function. Also I love nature and I love Bonaire and I think this is a great way to do something for the people of Bonaire. I started working at STINAPA on August 1st 2004. I collaborate with the other managers involving the long-term strategy for the foundation and on a daily base I am responsible for all the maintenance, law enforcement, education and different monitoring programs. The nicest thing, without any doubt, is the interaction with the people. This park is a multi use park and we have many users like water sport operators, fishermen and people who live on the shoreline. Being able to interact and help these people to solve their problems is very satisfying for me. I also strongly believe that this is a protected area to use, so I like to work with the people to find possibilities to use the park in a sustainable way.
The importance of STINAPA: Since the main income of the economy of Bonaire is tourism, especially dive tourism, I think that having an organization like STINAPA warranties the sustainable use of the natural resource. Bonaire now has the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean and this is not a coincidence since we have protected the reefs of Bonaire for 30 years now.
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Fernando Simal
 Born in Asturias, Spain on November 28 1963.
Present position: Manager of Washington Slagbaai National Park
On October 1st 2000 I was hired to bring the park’s level up in the areas of infrastructure, human resources, finances and nature management. So, I’ve been running and doing projects in all these areas for almost six years now. When STINAPA asked me if I wanted to apply I was living in Venezuela. I am a biologist but I had then a company that maintained high-rise buildings. I did it for the money – not for love! For love I was in charge of the SCUBA diving department of the University of Isla Margarita and I was teaching biology and sports in high school and I owned an excursion center (half for love, half for money) and also I used to do biology related volunteer work. The best part of my job is to see the park improve, achieving our goals and to see the results of my work. A dream come true for me will be for the people of Bonaire to appreciate and recognize the changes. And of course work in nature almost everyday is great.
Considering nature is the pillar of our economy the importance of STINAPA is invaluable, priceless: no nature - no economy – no progress!
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Kerenza Rannou
 Born on Bonaire on April 14th 1971.
Present position: Accounting manager.
I started working for STINAPA in August 5th 1996. I finished my studies and had been working abroad for several years and I wanted to come back to the Antilles. I’m doing the administration and everything that comes with it for the foundation and the two parks: Washington Park and the Marine Park. All managers are members of the Management Team and we carry out the policy directed by the board, but we also bring ideas about how to professionalize STINAPA even more. The best thing about my job is that STINAPA is always moving on to a higher professional level and although my work is quite standard I get the opportunity to do different things in the foundation. I also participated in the special police powers training, I got my first aid diploma and I’m going to do a boat-handling course. For me it’s not a must but I do it for fun!
STINAPA is important because our income comes from nature. We live from tourism and STINAPA protects nature in a way so that coming generations will also be capable of enjoying our nature. Sustainable development is very important for the island. I also think that it is very important that STINAPA is educating the children; it’s one of the most valuable contributions STINAPA is giving to the island.
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Edwin (Din) Domacassé
 Born on Bonaire on July 5th 1964.
Present position: Chief Ranger of the Bonaire National Marine Park.
I started to work for STINAPA on February 7th 1993. I’d been a dive master at a dive shop for ten years and I got tired of baby-sitting the visitors….you have to be a good baby sitter you know! J In the beginning I didn’t make a lot of money with STINAPA compared to what I was earning at the dive shop, but I was doing something I really enjoyed! The sea is in my blood, in my genes, and now I have to protect nature and I put my whole heart into it. Before I didn’t see it like that; I loved the sea but I was not using it the correct way. Protecting the sea has now become my second nature! I am also the intermediary between the rangers and the manager and I have to organize and plan the work for the week and check that it gets done. However, I am also a ranger and I have to do the same job as the other rangers.
The thing I love to do best is to catch someone in the act of breaking the rules! That’s action! I love action!
The people on Bonaire make their money with tourism and visitors come for nature, without nature – no tourism! STINAPA protects nature, that’s why STINAPA is important.
I received an award on June 23, 2006 for my dedication to the preservation of the marine environment: the Accolade Award. It was presented to me by Captain Don.
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George Thodé
 Born on Bonaire on January 26th 1963.
Present position: Chief Ranger of the Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Since April 1st 1981 I’ve been working in the Washington Park. The park was founded in 1969 and I’ve been with the park for more than 36 years already. I lived in the park for many, many years but nowadays I am living in Rincon. We’ve been sent by Jesus to do our work here and to register everything that’s going on in nature. Before I became Chief Ranger I was a ranger and my work was here at the entrance but also in the field. I do everything. I don’t know about working hours. I stay as long as I want and I come whenever I feel like it, but always before 8.00 am and after 5.00 pm! I do the maintenance in the park and since July 15th 1970 I document and register everything. It is a never-ending task.
STINAPA protects nature and they teach the people what this means.
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July-Ann Frans
 Born on Bonaire on January 9th 1975.
Present position: Jack(y) -of-all-trades. I was hired to do light-administrative work but now I’m helping everyone!
I came to fill in for a month but when the lady I was filling in for left for good they wanted me back, so I started here October 7th 1997 and I am still here and I love it! I handle the phone, make the appointments, make copies, make the forms for Washington Park and the Marine Park, take the notes at the general meeting, fill in at Washington Park when the rangers have something else to do and… when I’m three days off and I call them, they ask me: “When are you coming back, we’re looking for something and we can’t find it, we don’t know what to do, we miss you!!!” I feel important! I only take my holidays because I have to, but it’s really not what I want! Only when I have to take care of my baby I stay at home. Everything about my job is great and my colleagues are very sweet. I also like to work with the visitors at the entrance of the park.
STINAPA is important because they protect our plants and fishes and our reefs and many locals don’t realize how important that is. We have to inform and educate the Antilleans, so they know more and they can help the rangers with their work. In 2006 I received a promotion and now I am the Administrative Assistant. I am now responsible also for the management of the office and also to make sure that our building is well maintained.
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Sixto Trenidad
 Born on Bonaire on July 31st 1969.
Present position: Ranger of the Bonaire National Marine Park
I started to work for STINAPA on June 1st 2000 and I thank God for that. I am grateful that STINAPA took me as their employee, because I love nature, especially the sea. My work is diving, to check on the cords of the buoys all around Bonaire, the maintenance of the buoys. I also do car and boat patrol and we check the people to see if they have paid the entrance fee to the Marine Park. We drill underwater to put the pins to which the buoys are attached, because the concrete blocks we were using would move when big boats are tied to them. I also give on the job training to the new assistant rangers when they just start to work. Occasionally we work together with the Coastguard of the Netherland Antilles and Aruba. I also teach the youngsters who participate in the project of the Junior Ranger program. I also have special police powers. The best thing about my job is that not one day is the same and I also get the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.
STINAPA is important because if nobody stands up for nature, everyone will do what they like and soon there won’t be anything left.
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Clifford Cicilia
 Born on Bonaire on April 20th 1969
Present position: Ranger of the Washington Slagbaai National Park.
I’ve worked in Washington Park since November 1st 1995 and every day is different! I sell tickets at the entrance, cut branches, and help the visitors when they get lost or when they have car problems, check on the fences and repair them and I do the maintenance of the buildings and the cars. Also I attended a bird watching course in Portland, Maine. What I like best? To work out-doors, in the field!
STINAPA takes care of the park and makes sure that everything is going well and better.
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Crisanta Martha
 Born on Curaçao on December 29th 1966. In November 1995 I came to live on Bonaire.
Present position: Education Coordinator.
I’ve been with STINAPA since May 1st 2005. I’ve been with the scouts since I was six years old and during my life I’ve always been very interested in nature and the environment. My job is to make sure that children and young adults get information and education in matters of environment and nature, so they themselves will contribute to the protection and maintenance of our environment in the future. We provide Educational Boxes for all the elementary schools of Bonaire. These boxes contain materials for the teachers to give lessons on special themes like turtles, reef fishes, coral reefs, trees, caves, bats, Lac, plants, etc. I organize out-door activities for the school children, and for teenagers we organize some long term projects like snorkeling for youth and the Junior Ranger program. Also we have a snorkel program for the elementary school children age between 8 and 12. During this program they get a lot of information about the rules and regulations of the Marine Park and also we do fish identification and coral identification. For me the best part of my job is the interaction with the kids; they have some good ideas about how to make a certain activity even more fun!
STINAPA is important because we educate the people. We humans are inclined to take things for granted, but people should understand that everything in nature is there for a purpose and a reason.
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Karel Rosario
 Born on Bonaire on August 19, 1972.
Present position: Ranger and I also have Special Police powers.
I started working for STINAPA May 1st 2005 because I love the sea very much. In my previous job I used to go every free moment to the sea. Now that I’m working here I don’t have to wait until I’m free!
My job at the Marine Park is about patrolling by car and by boat; we check if people have paid the Marine Park entrance fee, we’re on the look out for illegal acts like spear fishing or for people that are taking the conch. We also maintain the buoys, the cars and the boats. And if something needs to be repaired, even if it isn’t in my contract, I’ll take care of it! I can work independently because I see what needs to be done! The thing I like the best about my job is the placement of the drilled moorings; under water we drill pins in the sea floor to which we attach the buoys.
For me the best thing that STINAPA is doing is protecting nature!
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Nestor Janga
 Born on Bonaire on February 27th 1953
Present position: Ranger
I’ve been working for Washington Park since April 6th 1998. I was living in St. Maarten when hurricane Luis destroyed the whole island in 1995. Since I am the only son and the youngest child of my mother she wanted me to come back to Bonaire. I was looking for a job in communication and I ended up here at STINAPA; most of the time I’m working at the Visitor Center, selling tickets to the visitors and giving them information. I also work in the field; cutting branches, repairing the road and I help the visitors if they have problems with their car and if I can’t do it I contact the car rental agency. What I find the nicest thing about my job is the communication with the visitors.
STINAPA is here to prevent people from harming nature; if they do so anyway they'll face the consequences, including arrest. If STINAPA wouldn’t be there to protect our nature everything would slowly but surely disappear.
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Karen van Dijk
 Born on Aruba, on May 16, 1963.
Present position: Communication Coordinator.
I‘ve been working with STINAPA since March 1st 2006. I chose STINAPA because I have a great love for nature and I wanted to contribute to its protection. I was looking for more depth in my life and I found it here. I maintain the contacts with the press. We developed a communication plan that will serve as the basis for a long-term communication campaign geared to the Bonairean population. We have also redesigned our brochures; they now have a new style. What I like best about my job is that I meet so many different people and that I get a lot of information about things that are happening nature wise, not only on Bonaire but all over the world.
STINAPA is important because it preserves and protects nature and it educates the local people. Also STINAPA makes the users of the parks aware of our rules and regulations and of the importance of why they have to stick to those rules.
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Gregory La Croes
 Born on Curacao on August 5th 1982, but after two weeks I came back to Bonaire, I am a Bonairean!
Present position: Ranger of the Bonaire National Marine Park.
I started working for STINAPA on August 1st 2005 because I love nature. When I was still at elementary school I participated in the snorkel program of STINAPA and I learned how to snorkel and they taught me a lot about nature. I love my job; it’s cool. I love to drill under water and change the buoys because I love diving. You learn a lot here and I love to talk and to joke with the visitors. We go to Klein Bonaire where we remove the garbage and check if the people left everything good, we paint the rocks with the names of the dive sites and we take away the conch from the poachers. If the snail is still alive in the shell we put the conch back in the water. If not, we take them to the elderly home or to the orphanage home. Sometimes we do rescue and occasionally we assist in first aid.
STINAPA is important because it protects nature but also because it educates the people.
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Jerrel Martis
 Born on Bonaire on June 21st 1976
Present position: Assistant Ranger of the Washington Slagbaai National Park.
I’ve worked in Washington Park since February 2007. I go on patrol, paint the signs, and keep the Park clean. There is something different to do every day. The thing I like most is to go on patrols and talk with the visitors. I love to help them with their questions or when they want my advice. The things they mostly want to know are where they can see the flamingos, and which are the best places to swim, snorkel or dive. It feels great to be able to help them! Actually, there is nothing about my job that I do not like. My job is very important to me for two reasons: I want to take good care of my family and I want to take good care of nature. I love nature, my kunuku, the sea.
STINAPA is important because it protects our nature, so we will be able to see more Loras, coral and more karko in the future, instead of seeing less of them every day.
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Sally Thodé
 Born on Bonaire on April 6th 1965
Present position: Housekeeper
I started working for STINAPA on March 2nd 1990; first my sister was working here but then I took over the job from her. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I clean the buildings in Washington Park and on Tuesday and Thursday I clean at the Headquarters at Barcadera. It’s a nice job; my colleagues are great, the atmosphere is nice, and it’s quiet here and I love nature. I feel good when I am at work. I like it a lot.
STINAPA is doing many good things for the people on Bonaire. They educate the children and they organize activities for them.
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Denice Boelen
 Born on Bonaire on March 15, 1976.
Present position: Ranger of the Bonaire National Marine Park.
I am with STINAPA since August 15, 2005 because I love nature and I love being a Bonairean. I feel I am a spoiled child of God in his creation. I am just wild about nature and here we’re fighting for the rights of nature! We do a lot of patrolling and look for illegal acts like people wearing dive gloves because when they wear them they like to touch everything and everything they touch dies! We also participate in the yearly Lora’s (Bonairean parrot; Amazona barbandesis rothchildi) counting. We maintain Klein Bonaire; we change the garbage cans there and check on the moorings and the mooring lines. We also keep track of the amount of time boats stay on the moorings. I really feel special since I am the first female ranger of the Marine Park! I feel proud when I hear the visitors saying that Bonaire is a paradise.
STINAPA is important because we take care of nature and we educate the people too. The beauty of our island is not only for us to enjoy; I want our little ones to see the same beauty when they are grown up.
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Ruthsel Paula
 Born on Curaçao on November 7th, 1977.
Present position: Assistant Ranger of the WSNP.
I started working for STINAPA on September 1st, 2005. I took this job because I wanted to learn new things. Now I work in the shop. I like to attend the visitors who are entering the park, we talk and I check if they have paid the entrance fee already or if they still have to pay.
Nature all around the world is under big pressure, which is why we all have to make a bigger effort to protect and preserve it. Plants breath and give us clean air, we have to take care of them.
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Angelo Dovale
 Born on Curaçao on October 24, 1973.
Present position: Assistant Ranger of the Bonaire National Marine Park.
I started working for STINAPA on January 5th 2007, because I love nature and I wanted to be more connected/close to nature on a daily basis. I also wanted a more regular and peaceful life. I go on patrol to check if the people bought the “Nature Fee” (tag), but also to check if they are safe and having a good time. Sometimes they ask for advice, it is always nice to help people enjoy their vacation even more. I also do maintenance and many other things. The best thing about my job is that I’ am part of a great team, that protects nature and helps make people aware of the regulations and laws concerning nature protection.
The thing that can be hard is when people try to start a conflict, because they are convinced that nature needs no protection at all. They don’t see that if we take nature for granted our kids will have to live without it.
STINAPA is important because we work hard to prevent that certain animals, shells and corals will become extinct and we make people aware of the importance of nature.
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George Saragoza
 Born on Bonaire on August 2nd 1958
Present position: All around Person
I’ve been with STINAPA since January 1st 1992. I started as a ranger of the Marine Park. We put in moorings, give snorkel lessons to children, and check if the divers have paid the entrance fee to the park. Now I work full time at the Washington Park doing maintenance; we cut branches along the roads, we paint the buildings, check on the cars and all kind of small repairs that need to be done. For me every day is fun!
STINAPA is like a special star for Bonaire; its light shines over the island because they protect Bonaire’s nature, on land and in the sea.
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Patrick Christiaan
 Born on Bonaire on February 12, 1975.
Present position: Assistant Ranger of the Bonaire National Marine Park.
I started working for STINAPA on February 1st. 2008, because nature is important to me, and I want to give back to the nature I love, by protecting and preserving it. In my former job I also worked in protection, so there is a link there. My tasks include the maintenance and replacement of moorings, collecting the garbage from Klein Bonaire, as well as going on patrol by boat and car, to check if the people bought the “Nature Fee” (entrance fee to the Marine Park). I also assisted our education coordinator with the snorkel activities of the “Turtuganan di Boneiru”. What I like best about my job is being in and on the water, so that’s the boat patrol and the mooring replacements. And strange enough, there’s nothing about my job that I don’t like. STINAPA is important because we do our best to preserve and protect nature, so certain animals, shells, and corals will not become extinct. This is necessary because once they disappear, it is very often not possible to reverse the damage that’s done. And our nature is also our daily bread and butter, tourism is very important for our economy.
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Henry Beaumont
 Born on Bonaire on February 19th 1969
Present position: Maintenance man
I started here at the Washington Park on April 1st, 2003. I am a Jack-of-all-trades. I do the maintenance, clean the cars and service them, cut the branches, I paint, I do masonry and I also do carpenter’s work. When you work at the Washington Park you have to like everything you’re doing and I like everything! If there’s something I don’t know, I’ll ask someone and my problem is solved! I really do like this place!
STINAPA is doing everything for Bonaire because if they wouldn’t be here the people would take everything and Bonaire wouldn’t have any nature left. Then Bonaire would not be important anymore, because it doesn’t have anything else than nature to offer. I will do everything I can to help STINAPA and the people that are working here.
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Alvaro Martines
 Born on Bonaire on January 17, 1984.
Present position: Assistant Ranger of the Bonaire National Marine Park.
I started working for STINAPA on January 3rd. 2008, because I love nature and want to help to protect it. I think that law enforcement is important. By making clear to the public that there are laws they need to be respected, we can preserve our precious nature. My job is very diverse (which is great) and it includes the maintenance and replacement of moorings, collecting of garbage from Klein Bonaire, as well as going on patrol by boat and car, to check if the people bought the “Nature Fee” (entrance fee to the Marine Park). We also check if people who build piers, have permits, and if they do, if they build as specified in the permit. Another thing is the speeding of boats, we check that people do not speed when in shallow waters. And of course we rescue when needed. What I like best about my job is making sure that people respect our nature laws. The least fun is the collection of garbage from Klein Bonaire, since it smells really bad. STINAPA is important because Bonaire depends on tourism and the divers come here mainly for our beautiful reefs. If we lose our nature, we lose our income.
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Jonathan Pourier
 Born on Curaçao on December 16th, 1980.
Present position: Maintenance department of the WSNP.
I started working for STINAPA on August 1st, 2006. Here I learned the value of nature, discipline at work, as well as the meaning of wearing a uniform.
I find it important that the entrance of the Park (Visitor Center) is always clean and tidy also that the roads are free of branches that can scratch the cars. I service the vehicle we use to manage the Park so that they work well and have a long life. One of my tasks also is to ensure that the different cisterns have water in them. The animals need water too. STINAPA conserves nature - that is very important for humanity because nature is our livelihood.
I love to be in the field. Every day I see many beautiful things, for instance, it is so impressive how Se Yuwa (Yuwa hill) shines in the morning sunlight.
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