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LOCAL Wednesday 4 september 2024

This week marks 19 years since the collapse of the Natural Bridge

The Natural Bridge, located that the cause of the col- went to see what was left of
between the Bushiribana lapse was not immediately what was once a national
gold mine and Andicuri known. However, a crack treasure. The bridge was a
beach, was one of the on one side of the bridge coral limestone formation,
most famous and most had been noted several shaped by thousands of
photographed attractions years earlier. years of strong waves and
in Aruba before its sudden wind. Hundreds of visitors
collapse on September 2, "It is a very sad day for Aru- and locals walked across it
2005. ba and its tourism," Briesen every year.
said at the time. "A picture
The bridge, which was the of the bridge appears on The good news is that Aru-
largest of its kind in the Ca- nearly every promotional ba has several other natural
ribbean, was 7.6 meters flyer, and more tourists visit bridges, though some are
high and 30 meters long. it than any other attraction." difficult to reach, including
At the time, Minister of Tour- a smaller one near the col-
ism Edison Briesen stated Many locals and visitors lapsed bridge.q

The Aruba Conservation Foundation continues to ‘Turn the Tide’

As part of ‘Turning the Tide’, an EU • Location: Rooi Bringamosa, who are comfortable working
RESEMBID-funded coral and man- Spaans Lagoen in warm temperatures and wet,
grove restoration project for Aruba, • Included: Snacks and refresh- muddy conditions. Please consider
the Aruba Conservation Founda- ments this when registering for this event.
tion (ACF) is looking for volunteers • What to wear: Old, sun protective
to assist with restoring mangrove clothing / clothing that you don’t A pre-briefing event will be orga-
channels, specifically improving mind getting dirty in. Keep in mind nized to present the activity plan
water flow in the open saliñas of that you will be working in water and timeline, the exact location,
Spaans Lagoen. / mud. (wear appropriate shoes and detailed information on the
such as old sneakers or boots) working conditions, and additional
Initial restoration began last year Volunteer Event Details: guidance on what to wear and
with the creation of silt traps at • Dates: Saturday, 14 September Register here: https://forms.office. bring. Participants will have the
Rooi Lamoenchi, Rooi Taki, and 2024 & Sunday, 15 September 2024 com/r/pHkaWLch4Y opportunity to ask questions. The
Rooi Bringamosa. The project now • Time: Morning, 6:00AM to pre-briefing date will be commu-
continues to progress with the re- 10:00AM / Afternoon, 3:30PM to This event is intended for individu- nicated in the confirmation email
opening of mangrove channels. 7:30PM als in optimal physical condition after registration.q

ACF invites you to another Rough Hike

Rise early with us to discover Aruba's diverse
nature. This rough hike allows you to get up
close to nature as you trail under the guid-
ance of an experienced ranger.

Starting at Parke Nacional Arikok's Visitor
Center, this hike will take you through Visitor
Center, Miralamar, Jamanota, Masiduri, Rooi
Taki and Spaans Lagoen (Bus transport from
Spaans Lagoen back to the Visitor Center will
be provided by ACF.)

Date: Sunday, September 8th, 2024
Time: 5:45 AM – 9:00 AM
Distance: 6.75 km/ 4.19 mi

Picture credit: ACF on Facebook.

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