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a32 local
Wednesday 29 July 2020

Aruba National Park:

Conservation work is a focal point during Conservation Week

Aruba 2020

ORANJESTAD — From 26 zation, and soil fertility loss),
July to 1 August, Funda- pollution (air, water, land
cion Parke Nacional Aruba – including toxic substanc-
(FPNA) celebrates its first es), coastal development,
ever Conservation Week, deteriorating ecosystems
an awareness event that health, (marine) overhar-
the nature conservation vesting, introduction of in-
organization intends to re- vasive species such as tila-
peat in the coming years. pia, boa and cane toads,
and biodiversity loss.
Natasha Silva – Chief Con- The Lora (yellow-shoul-
servation Officer – explains dered parrot) and the
why such an event is im- Paloma Azul (scaly-naped
portant: “Well, at FPNA we pigeon) have already be-
are noticing an increase come extinct on Aruba, the
in public interest in nature charismatic Patrishi (crest-
and sustainability related ed bobwhite) and Conew
topics, while at the same (cotton-tailed rabbit) have
time we’re witnessing an almost disappeared, and
increase in threats to our iconic endemic species
island’s biodiversity and such as Cascabel (Aruba
the conservation of ecosys- island rattlesnake), Prikichi hilly landscape, wetlands, Global Owl Project and will would be truly working to-
tems and habitats.” While (Aruban brown-throated watershed and drainage continue the coming years wards finding a balance
her answer may surprise parakeet), Shoco (Aruban areas – which are home to further develop numer- by building and living with
you, especially in the cel- burrowing owl) and numer- to many often vulnerable, ous other conservation pro- nature.” “If we manage to
ebratory wake of recently ous species of flora are now endangered, and/or en- grams together with local achieve this then I believe
acquiring 16 new nature re- endangered, some even demic species, including and international organi- that Aruba will be a won-
serves, Silva continues with: critically. Silva exclaims: 10 species of terns, bats, zations. Partnership is key. derfully unique place and
“Let me explain …” “We must prevent further frogs and numerous insects However, working on bio- an example to the world!”
The current global and lo- extinction, as with the dis- such as butterflies and oth- diversity recovery and in- Silva claims. “Moreover,
cal environmental chal- appearance of species er pollinators. Now more creasing ecosystem health safeguarding our natural
lenges have drastically and habitats, we are also than 20% of the island is of- alone is not enough. resources will benefit our
changed the way we do losing our Aruban identity.” ficially protected and the Silva: “As a community, we economy. Destroying them
nature conservation over At the same time there’s foundation also manages need to change our way will negatively impact our
the last decades. We have reason to celebrate. Only four Marine Protected Ar- of thinking and develop economy, including our
to deal with apocalyptic, last week, 16 new nature eas (MPAs) which collec- sustainable behaviors. We fisheries and tourism.”
global threats like climate reserves were brought un- tively form the Parke Ma- need to start seeing the is- FPNA’s 2020 Conservation
change and ocean acidifi- der the management of rino Aruba (6020 hectares). land as one big ecosystem Week specifically cele-
cation. While at a local lev- FPNA. Together with the Although this may seem like and see us humans as part brates Aruba’s unique and
el our conservation work is previously protected Arikok a lot, the entire island and of this system. Nature is not protected nature with sev-
challenged by an increase National Park and Ramsar coastal seas are needed something out there. Na- eral conservation events, a
in the human population area Spaans Lagoen, Aru- to prevent populations of ture is all around us and hu- webinar with FPNA’s con-
and tourism, overstretch- ba’s protected areas con- flora and fauna from going mans are an integral part servation experts, an online
ing the island’s carrying tain important ecosystems extinct. of nature. This way of think- conservation quiz, and a
capacity, land conversion, and habitats – such as FPNA is already working on ing does not limit nature to rough hike in the national
desertification and fresh- arid, xeric shrubland, vul- a Shoco recovery program protected areas only. After park.
water withdrawals, soil de- nerable dune areas with together with Aruba Bird- all, nature does not adhere FPNA will continue stimulat-
terioration (erosion, salini- characteristic vegetation, life Conservation and the to human induced bound- ing awareness and work-
aries: there are also Cas- ing hard the coming years
cabel, Shoco and Prikichi towards contributing to a
living outside of our nature sustainable future for Aru-
reserves in areas which un- ba’s people and a resilient,
der the national Spatial De- species-rich and diverse
velopment Plan (2019) are nature.
designated as ‘Natuur en Silva ends: “Aruba’s beau-
landschap’, ‘Landelijk ge- tiful, unique and fragile na-
bied’ and even in urban ar- ture is a common good.
eas. All these spaces need Tackling threats, forward-
to be connected by so- ing nature conservation
called ‘green corridors’, for and working towards a sus-
wildlife to follow their natu- tainable future is by exten-
ral rhythms and safely trav- sion the responsibility of us
el from one area to anoth- all: nature NGOs, govern-
er. However, we can also ment, private sector and
go a step further and make the community at large”.
our urban areas nature rich (www.arubanationalpark.
and nature friendly. This org/). q