PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Nature Foundation has embarked on a strategic partnership between the Caribbean Amerindian Organization in order to come to solutions for some of the invasive species issues facing St. Maarten, particularly as it pertains to the invasive Iguana iguana, or Green Iguana. Since its introduction that particular species of Iguana has caused the extinction of the local Lesser Antillean Iguana and has since overrun the island and has become a nuisance pests. “We have the honor and a pleasure of working with the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization in addressing some of the environmental issues we commonly share. Indigenous Amerindian knowledge, wisdom which comes from thousands of years of close spiritual contact with the land and sea, is crucial in understanding our environment on the island, in the wider Caribbean and in the Americas. The first project we have embarked upon is a program to investigate and come to a solution regarding the prevalence of invasive iguanas on St. Maarten. These animals have been affecting local vegetation and have become a nuisance. Through working with indigenous peoples from the Americas, together with our own scientific research, we hope to come to a management of the invasive species, commented Tadzio Bervoets, Nature Foundation Manager.
Damon Corrie, Director and Founder of CADO stated; “the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization (CADO) has established a strategic partnership with the Nature Foundation of Sint Maarten, it is the only Wildlife Foundation in the Caribbean we have done this with, because for us it is the most active one in the entire region - AND because human rights are part and parcel of the rest of the natural world....and whatever concerns the flora and fauna of the Caribbean ALSO concerns the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean who were the first human custodians and beneficiaries of it.”
The Nature Foundation is asking the public to contact it if they have significant issues with invasive iguanas on their property. The Foundation can be reached at 5444267 or via email at info@naturefoundationsxm.org.
Nature Foundation and Caribbean Amerindian Development Foundation Partner to Manage Invasive Iguana Population.
