Partners
Funded in part by Merchant's Market, Merchant's Export, MINA, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation- Coral Reef Conservation Fund, St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association, St. Maarten Marine Trades Assocation, Tourist Bureau, Yacht Club Isle de Sol.

Partners include American University of the Caribbean, Foundation for Environmental Education, Harbour Corporation, Nature Foundation of St. Maarten, St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association, St. Maarten Marine Trades Association, St. Maarten Pride Foundation, Reserve Naturelle St. Martin, Seaside Nature Park.

Project Dates
March 2007-Present

Project Location
Simpson Bay Lagoon, St. Maarten/St. Martin

Project Description
The goal of the Love the Lagoon Project is to protect and restore the Simpson Bay Lagoon and other wetlands on St. Maarten/ St. Martin. Education, outreach, and voluntary compliance are used to encourage the community, including landowners, marinas, and boaters, to be good environmental stewards, reduce pollution entering the lagoon, and protect the remaining habitat.

Project Importance
Simpson Bay Lagoon is one of the largest lagoons in the Caribbean. The maritime sector of the lagoon contributes significantly to the island's economy. Unfortunately, water pollution has reached a critical level, compromising human health, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics. This project aims to address pollution issues, improve water quality, and protect and restore habitats of the Lagoon and surrounding wetlands.

love the lagoon page

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Lagoon clean up...

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Green Key logo

Partners
EPIC, Sint Maarten Nature Foundation and Reserve Naturelle St. Martin

Project Dates
January 2001 until present.

Project Location
Wetlands on St. Maarten/ St. Martin

Project Description
Using scopes and binoculars, all birds are recorded by species and activity, in addition to the presence of chicks and nests, from designated locations at each wetland. We sought to determine basic water quality parameters through the testing of pH, conductivity, salinity, oxygen, and temperature. Conduct outreach, including media and public Bird Walks at wetlands, to build community support for wetland conservation.

Project Importance
Document the importance of saline and fresh wetlands to resident and migrant waterbirds while determining if water quality factors affect the density and diversity of populations at individual wetlands. Advocate for legal protection of wetlands and wildlife.

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epic_watertesti...

Partners
EPIC and St. Martin Reserve Naturelle

Project Description
Identify suitable areas for mangrove restoration, including salt water content, agreeable landowner, and accessible location. Plant mangroves within suitable areas and monitor health of newly planted trees.

Project Importance
Increase habitat for juvenile reef and lagoon marine life while cleaning waters and stabilizing coastal sediments. Increase local concerns for mangroves. Most mangroves have been removed from local lagoons. Past Projects: Grand Etang, St. Martin and Grand Ilet, Simpson Bay Lagoon, St. Martin. Click here for more on these projects.

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Mangrove measur...

Mangrove

Mangrove

Partners
EPIC and BirdLife International

Project Location/Species
St. Maarten, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, and Nevis.

Project Description
As part of a global initiative, Birdlife International contracted EPIC to identify potential Important Bird Areas (IBAs) for St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten/Martin. For more information on IBAs, visit http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/sites/index.html .

Project Importance
EPIC identified multiple IBA's in the Lesser Antilles which raised awareness of habitat for Laughing Gulls (St. Maarten), Caribbean Coots (St. Maarten), Red-billed Tropicbirds (Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Martin), Least Terns (St. Kitts), Brown Pelican (St. Maarten), Royal Tern (St. Maarten), Scaly-breasted Thrasher (St. Martin and St. Eustatius), and Bridled-quail Dove (St. Martin, St. Eustatius, and St. Kitts)

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Partners
EPIC, Sint Maarten Nature Foundation, and St. Martin Nature Reserve

Project Dates
April 2004-Present

Project Location
Wetlands; St. Martin Netherlands Antilles Project Description: Locate and record breeding success for Wilson's Plover and Killdeer on St. Martin, Netherlands Antilles. Record all threats to breeding birds.

Project Importance
Establishing a baseline data set will increase our understanding of these populations on St. Martin and within the Lesser Antilles. St. Martin is home to one of the largest groups of wetland systems in the Lesser Antilles and subsequently has much habitat for large populations of Wilson's Plover and Killdeer. Understanding these populations will help promote conservation of these species in the region.

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Partners
EPIC, Reserve Naturelle St. Martin, and Sint Maarten Nature Foundation

Project Dates
January 2002 until present. Click here to see highlights from past bird walks.

Project Location
Wetland areas on St. Martin/ St. Maarten

Project Description
Advertise walks through local media. Providing scopes and binoculars, lead an educational bird walk around island wetland areas. Discuss ecology of the wetland areas and local conservation issues.

Project Importance
Provide free and easily accessible environmental education forum for students, tourists, and residents. Increase appreciation and knowledge of the local environment and build support for conservation of natural areas.

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EPIC bird walk

Partners
EPIC, Sint Maarten Nature Foundation, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Project Dates
January 2004 - July 2004

Project Location
Bird Blinds at Little Bay and Fresh Ponds. Interpretive trail at Little Bay Pond.

Project Description
Build two 10' x 10' bird blinds among the mangroves at both Little Bay and Fresh Pond. Install approximately ten interpretive signs explaining life in and around theses public access areas.

Project Importance
Provide a free and easily accessible environmental education forum for students, tourists and residents. Increase appreciation and knowledge of the local environment.

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