GREAT BAY--The Nature Foundation St. Maarten has welcomed Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs' announcement that approximately 17 hectares of land in Cul-de-Sac have been returned to government for the possible establishment of the country's first terrestrial park. However, the organization is urging government to move beyond the announcement by establishing a clear timeline, consulting stakeholders and ensuring that the proposed park receives permanent legal protection.
In a statement issued Wednesday, October 28, the Foundation described the development as an important step toward achieving an environmental conservation objective that has been discussed for decades. The proposed park would occupy land known as Rainforest land, spread across several parcels in the Golden Rock and Industry areas of Cul-de-Sac, adjacent to Emilio Wilson Park.
On October 21, Gumbs announced that the approximately 17 hectares had been returned to government from a private long-lease arrangement, identifying the establishment of a terrestrial park as the principal objective for the property.
The Foundation said the announcement has attracted positive attention from conservationists throughout the Dutch Caribbean, particularly because St. Maarten remains the only island in the Dutch Caribbean without a designated terrestrial park.
"We thank Minister Gumbs for this important first step. Discussions regarding a terrestrial park have circulated for decades and formed a longstanding mission for our island's local conservationists, both past and present. Now, it's time to finally make this happen," the organization stated.
Environmental protection and flood prevention
Beyond preserving natural vegetation, the Foundation emphasized that a terrestrial park could provide practical environmental benefits, particularly in protecting communities against flooding, excessive heat and soil erosion.
Maintaining healthy vegetation on St. Maarten's hillsides helps absorb rainfall and reduce the volume and speed of water flowing into developed areas during heavy showers. This can reduce flooding and limit the amount of sediment entering coastal waters, where runoff can damage coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.
The Foundation also highlighted a 2014 UNESCO study referenced by Gumbs, which identified the area as particularly suitable for drainage management.
Protecting the land could therefore contribute to environmental resilience while reducing risks to nearby properties and infrastructure.
The organization further noted that St. Maarten's hillsides provide habitat for wildlife, including the bearded anole, a lizard species found nowhere else in the world. Establishing protected natural areas could help preserve such species and the ecosystems on which they depend.
Potential benefits for residents and tourism
The proposed park could also create new opportunities for residents to enjoy natural surroundings through hiking, birdwatching and other outdoor recreational activities.
According to the Foundation, access to nature can support physical and mental health, while carefully managed ecotourism activities could create opportunities for local guides and other small businesses.
The organization believes that protecting the area would serve both conservation and community development objectives, particularly if the park is managed in a way that balances environmental protection with responsible public access.
Legal designation and management still outstanding
Despite its support for the proposal, the Nature Foundation emphasized that several important decisions remain outstanding before the park can become a reality.
Government has not yet announced a development timeline, designated a management organization or completed the legal process required to establish the protected area.
Gumbs has indicated that stakeholders will be brought together to discuss the park's management structure, while the legal designation is expected to form part of the updated Nature Ordinance currently being drafted.
The Foundation considers these steps essential to ensuring that the land receives lasting protection and that responsibilities for conservation, maintenance and public access are clearly established.
The organization has expressed its willingness to participate in the consultation process and is encouraging Parliament and the wider community to support the necessary legislative and administrative measures.
Established in 1997, the Nature Foundation has been involved in environmental conservation, research, education and policy development on St. Maarten for nearly three decades. Since 2010, it has also served as the authorized management authority for the Man of War Shoal Marine Park.
The Foundation said the return of the Cul-de-Sac land creates an opportunity to fulfill a longstanding conservation ambition, but stressed that the project's success will ultimately depend on the legal protections, management arrangements and practical measures government puts in place.
