Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Princess Beatrix witnesses the signing of a letter of intent by VROMI Minister NDidate' href='/newspolitician/757/patrice-gumbs'>Patrice Gumbs aND SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture FouNDation Director Leslie Hickerson to establish legislation that would desigSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAte Little Key IslaND as a protected area. Afterwards, atteNDees raised their glasses to commemorate the occasion.
~ Letter of intent for terrestrial protection signed ~
PHILIPSBURG--On the secoND day of her official visit, Princess Beatrix visited the Great Salt PoND Birding Platform aND explored Simpson Bay, Mullet PoND aND Little Key on a boat, highlighting the importance of environmental awareness aND coastal protection.
The princess kicked off the secoND day of her official visit as patroness of the Dutch Caribbean SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture Alliance (DCSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NA) at the Great Salt PoND Birding Platform, where she spotted birds with Cornelis Binkie van Es, avid birding guide aND Chairman of St. Maarten SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture FouNDation.
Van Es discussed the cultural, SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAtural aND educatioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl significance of the platform installed by SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture FouNDation as part of its Birding aND Ecotourism project, aimed at improve accessibility to SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture, to improve local environmental awareness, encourage SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture-based activities such as birdwatching, aND inspire a deeper appreciation of local biodiversity. The princess said the fouNDation is doing important work aND she HOPEs the platform will become a success.
Next on her itinerary was a boat tour through Simpson Bay, visiting Mullet PoND aND Little Key. Mullet PoND is the only Ramsar-recognised wetlaND on the islaND, meaning that the poND is an interSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAtioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAlly recognised area of importance aND is protected uNDer the Ramsar Convention, an interSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAtioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl treaty for the conservation aND sustaiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAble use of wetlaNDs to protect biodiversity aND sUPPort ecosystem services. Little Key is a small islaND in the middle of Simpson Bay where mangrove restoration efforts are currently uNDerway.
Aboard the appropriately-SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAmed Queen Beatrix II fishing boat, Princess Beatrix enjoyed the views aND discussed the critical role mangroves play in coastal protection aND marine biodiversity. Mangroves act as SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAtural barriers that absorb wave energy, reduce erosion, shield shorelines from storms aND rising sea levels, aND sUPPort marine biodiversity by providing a unique habitat for a wide variety of fish, crustaceans, aND other wildlife, serving as breeding aND nursery grouNDs essential for numerous species, it was explained by representatives of local government aND SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture organisations.
After the boat returned to the Coast Guard station, Princess Beatrix witnessed the signing of a letter of intent by Minister of Public Housing, SPAtial Planning, Environment aND Infrastructure VROMI NDidate' href='/newspolitician/757/patrice-gumbs'>Patrice Gumbs aND SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture FouNDation Director Leslie Hickerson to establish legislation that would desigSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAte Little Key IslaND as a protected area. This legislation is currently in its fiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl stages aND, if approved, will mark a historic moment for St. Maarten, as it will be the countrys first terrestrial protected area maSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAged by SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture FouNDation.
This part of her work visit on St. Maarten as DCSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NA patroness conclUDed with a toast with the government officials aND SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAture organisation representatives, after which the princess made her way to the official re-opening of Princess JuliaSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NA InterSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAtioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl Airport.
