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more information |
Love The Lagoon
Partners:
Funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation- Coral Reef
Fund. Partners include St. Maarten/Martin Marine Trades Associations,
Simpson Lagoon Authority Commission, Nature Foundation of St. Maarten,
OceanCare, and SXM Pride Foundation
Project Dates:
March 2007-Present
Project Location:
Simpson Lagoon, St. Maarten/St. Martin
Project Description: Education,
outreach, and voluntary compliance are used to encourage marinas, boatyards,
and boaters to be good environmental stewards and reduce pollution entering
the lagoon.
Project Importance:
Simpson 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 and improve the water quality of the lagoon. |
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St. Martin Wetlands Conservation Project
Partners:
EPIC, Sint Maarten Nature Foundation and St. Martin Reserve
Naturelle.
Project Dates:
January 2001 until present. Surveys take place monthly from January-July.
Project Location:
Wetlands on St. Martin, Netherlands Antilles.
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. A
conductivity, salinity, and temperature meter as well as a dissolved oxygen
meter were used to measure these parameters in the field.
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. Additionally, affect legal
protection of wetlands and wildlife. |
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Mangrove Restoration Project
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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Important Bird Areas (IBA's)
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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St.
Martin Wilson's Plover and Killdeer Breeding Atlas
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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Bird
Walks Project Partners:
EPIC and Sint Maarten Nature Foundation.
Project Dates:
January 2002 until present. Walks take place monthly.
Click here to see
highlights from past bird walks.
Project Location:
Wetland areas on St. Martin, Netherlands Antilles.
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. |
click here to read more |
St.
Martin Bird Blinds and Interpretive Trail Project
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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