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Thursday 31 december 2020 locAl
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Unique collaboration of organizations for the reforestation of Aruba

caused by roads, side- its ‘ecosystem service’ and ing trees and their impor-
walks and buildings. Trees its contribution to human tance.
line our streets, and are health.
found in our parks, play- By working together, the Stimaruba
grounds, front and back five organizations share Stimaruba is one of the old-
gardens, and create a qui- their knowledge and bun- est NGOs on the island ded-
et, aesthetic and attrac- dle their expertise in pro- icated to nature protection
tive environment in many tecting and preserving the and nature conservation,
neighborhoods. In many still-existing nature, reha- with a strong focus on lo-
countries, very old trees bilitating and restoring the cal flora and education.
are a historical landmark original nature that has Stimaruba has mapped
and a source of national been affected by human flora throughout the island
pride due to their beauty activities over the centu- and organized hundreds
and majestic appearance. ries, reaching out to the of tours to increase knowl-
ORANJESTAD — Ban Lanta significantly increases the Trees also help fight climate local community with the edge about the impor-
y Planta, Stimaruba, Funda- distribution of this species. change by absorbing large aim of increasing the ap- tance and medicinal uses
cion Parke Nacional Aruba, Additionally, at the Sa- amounts of carbon diox- preciation for local flora, of local and endangered
the University of Aruba and vaneta Marine Barracks, ide. and joining in the efforts to plants and trees.
the Savaneta Marine Bar- some 50 trees and shrubs There are 352 species of conserving Aruba’s biodi-
racks proudly announce of 18 different species of plants and trees registered versity and achieving a sus- Fundacion Parke Nacional
their special collaboration locally endangered trees on the island, of which 6 tainable future. Aruba (FPNA)
for planting local trees to were planted on a large species only occur on Aru- In 2021, the five organiza- FPNA is a professional NGO
restore and improve Aru- site, ‘Park Van Dasselaar’, ba. Many species are under tions jointly aim to realize: dedicated to the conser-
ba’s natural environment. which has guaranteed op- pressure and threatened – Growing local trees in vation and the manage-
timal protection and a po- in their survival. Replant- nurseries for the purpose of ment of 16 terrestrial nature
The kick-off of this unique tentially high success rate ing native trees is essential reforestation reserves and 4 marine pro-
collaboration for Aruba for the growth and devel- for restoring the original – The annual organization tected areas. FPNA’s work
took place from 27 to 29 opment of the trees. tropical forest, restoring a of two joint tree planting includes various species
November 2020 at three Trees provide numerous im- healthy soil structure, cre- events protection programs, the
different locations: the Uni- portant and essential – of- ating more habitats for lo- – Raising awareness restoration of numerous
versity of Aruba, the Sava- ten also medicinal – func- cal wildlife, and increasing through social media natural habitats, the con-
neta Marine Barracks and tions. They provide oxygen Aruba’s biodiversity. But – Promoting gardening servation of flora through
the Parke Nacional Arikok. to the environment and perhaps even more impor- with local plants and trees their botanic gardens sys-
The first part consisted of improve air quality. Trees tant than replanting native – Promoting nature-friendly tem, and the creation of
the planting of the very bring shade and make for trees is the preservation and sustainable gardening awareness for healthy and
rare and protected Palisia more pleasant ambient and protection of the al- – Providing educational resilient ecosystems and
Cora (Bursera simaruba), temperatures and reduce ready existing trees, as the opportunities through lec- sustainable behaviors.
at all three sites, which the ‘heat island effect’ older a tree is, the greater tures and presentations
The organizations look University of Aruba (UA)
back on a fruitful kick-off The UA’s newly developed
weekend and look forward SISSTEM program will be
to further strengthening making significant contri-
their collaboration and for- butions to nature conser-
tifying their efforts with the vation and environmental
help of the community and protection through student
volunteers. The organiza- research and the develop-
tions will continue to focus ment of a biodiversity app
on promoting and planting that will help map and
local trees for the benefit monitor local and protect-
of Aruba’s natural environ- ed tree species in specific
ment and biodiversity. locations. The UA campus
Beyond the collaboration, supports local biodiversity
each organization makes with their planting scheme
its own specific contribu- of native trees and plants.
tion to the conservation of
local flora, increasing bio- Savaneta Marine Barracks
diversity and promoting (MSK-SAV)
sustainable behavior: The MSK-SAV is a role mod-
el with its strong focus and
Ban Lanta y Planta (Trees ambition of integrating sus-
for Aruba) tainability into their daily
Ban Lanta y Planta is a operations, including allo-
young foundation that is cating large areas of the
working hard to achieve barracks for rewilding with
their first goal of growing hardy, heat- and drought-
and planting 10,000 native resistant, local trees and
trees, including mangrove. plants. MSK-SAV directly
This non-governmental, contributes to increasing
voluntary organization also biodiversity, including con-
actively focuses on educa- serving and protecting the
tion and community out- endemic and endangered
reach to create awareness Aruban burrowing owls that
for the protection of exist- breed at the barracks.q