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Saturday 1 June 2024 locAl
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Visit the natural bridges of Aruba!

this site was also a frequently
visited beach, as the bridge
had a small opening through
which the water would flow
into the tiny beach.

Unfortunately in 2005, the
bridge collapsed, and the
little beach dried up. De-
spite this, this site remained
a tourist attraction, with
many visitors walking along
the coral cliffs of the bridge
to see the spectacular view
(Oranjestad)—After you’ve of the northern coastline and
visited the Alto Vista Church, The bridge was formed dur- the Caribbean Sea. Visitors
the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ru- ing thousands of years, cut can also still visit the souvenir
ins and the mini natural pool and crafted by the wild shop on the left of the bridge
that is located right next to waves that crash into the entrance.
it, you’re next up around the coral stone walls of the
northern coast line must be coast. Before its collapse, this While the natural bridge no
the Natural Bridge. Once the bridge measured 30 meters in longer is functional, there is
largest natural bridge in the length and 7 meters in height, now a smaller natural bridge
Caribbean, this bridge has making it the biggest natu- very close. This bridge is often
been a tourist attraction for ral bridge in the Caribbean called the “Baby Bridge” or
many years. at the time. For many years, “Daughter Bridge”.q

Episode CXXXI- 131 - Aruba’s reforestation

NOORD — In this episode vegetation of a degraded method are abundant
we will focus on the need land was achieved more and are not only linked to
to reforest the island com- quickly by planting indig- the growth speed of the
bating rising temperatures enous species, as opposed chosen native species but
of our planet. We must work to what was previously be- also from a recreational
form out local communities lieved to be with the mas- and social point of view,
and increase the pressure sive repopulation of non- incorporating native plants
on our leaders. However native trees fast growing. allows them to be valued,
reforestation is not a mat- The Miyawaki method is made known and with their
ter of repopulating without an ecological restoration rapid growth it achieves
ecological criteria but of method that, based on that people love them by
opting for island of endem- the Potential Natural Veg- protecting and caring for
ic biodiversity as an eco- etation of a space, aims to them.
logical strategy. recreate a landscape tak- The success of implement-
ing as a reference the veg- ing the Miyawaki method
In the 1990s, after decades etation that supposedly consists primarily in adapt- biomass necessary to fill the ciple. Where any land that
of observation and years of would have existed there if ing it to the place accord- deficiencies of the land, if is fertile and without any
study, Akira Miyawaki dem- there had been no human ing to the environmental they exist, and do not use human intervention would
onstrated that the recov- incursion. conditions and in parallel pesticides or added prod- develop a lush and sustain-
ery of the potential natural The advantages of this knowing exactly the lo- ucts. Follow the growth rate able forest in a maximum
cal vegetation, its variants of the plants during the first of 1000 years.
and the way in which it is two years through irrigation
expressed. Fundamental and weeding and plant If human support and sus-
stages to achieve amazing them at a very high density. tainable collaboration ex-
results. In this way, the idea We must be aware that ists in this same area, the
is to plant native plants in planting more trees does development time of the
available land and follow not create forests because forest would be shortened
their growth with minimal the forest is a living structure to 100 years.q
intervention. that requires its border and
In a first step, the soil must its layers, which are what, To get to know a little more
be identified, looking for guarantees the ecosystem regarding Aruba’s and its
its deficiencies and nutri- services that we expect. cultural origins, etc. We
ents that it has, defining The Miyawaki method is highly recommend you to
the species that adapt to based on taking advan- book your participation in
the climate and the place. tage of the “potential our cultural encounter ses-
Search the region for the natural vegetation” prin- sion. A mind opening rev-
elation and entertaining
Article by: Etnia Nativa island experience. What-
sapp + 297 5922702 or mail
Whatsapp us +297 592 2702 and book etnianativa03@gmail.com
our facilities and activities
your Aruban exprerience take place close to high
Etnia Nativa is close to the high rise hotels rise hotels.