After 25 years of faithful service to the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten, Jan Beaujon has retired from
the board of Nature Foundation Sint Maarten.
Mr. Beaujon joined the board shortly after the founding of the foundation in 1997. Following the sudden
passing of Mr. Joe Vliegen in 2000, who was one of the founding fathers of the organization, Mr.
Beaujon then took on the post of Chairman.
With a long career within the banking world and private sector, Nature Foundation has prospered from
Jan Beaujon’s financial background and leadership in guiding the organization to carry out its
commitment to conservation, management and education of natural resources and environment of Sint
Maarten. Further, his perception and solution-oriented mindset has been instrumental in overcoming
critical periods when funding for executing the work of the foundation was not available.
Until his retirement in 2013, Jan Beaujon was the General Manager of the Windward Island Bank and he
has since remained active in efforts heightening the economic, social, cultural and environmental
wellbeing of Sint Maarten, for which he in past years have been awarded “Person of the Year” at the
Crystal Pineapple Awards by Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association SHTA and received the royal
decoration as Knight in the Order of Oranje-Nassau.
Jan Beaujon is succeeded by Binkie van Es as the new chairman. Binkie is well-known in the community
for his engagement in nature conservation and bird expertise, and a long career on the island. Currently
the Board of Nature Foundation consists of 5 members: Binkie van Es (Chairman), Ellinger Paul
(Treasurer), Rikke Bachmann Speetjens (Secretary), Gianne de Weever-Wilson and Eudoxia Williams-
James.
“On behalf of everyone within the Nature Foundation, I want to thank you whole-heartedly for all you
have done for the foundation through the many years of voluntary work on the board as chairman”, said
incoming chairman Binkie van Es, during an appreciation event held for the outgoing chairman. “The
foundation will continue to work towards the goal of strengthening conservation efforts in all aspects,
by working with educators, policy makers and the public. Conservation is a state of harmony between
man and land,” added van Es. Jan Beajon was awarded with a token of appreciation, an artwork made
by local artist Laurey-Ann Fairbairn, representing the brown pelican. The brown pelican is the national
bird of Sint Maarten and is seen as an epitome for the importance of the natural environment on the
island.
“The Nature Foundation has been a part of my life and it makes me very emotional to retire from the
board. I would like to thank all, current and past dedicated board members, managers and staff for
where the foundation is today. I wish the best for the continued work and new projects for the
foundation and will remain available as an external advisor who knows the organization from the
inside,” said Jan Beaujon.
The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten manages the marine park “Man O war Shoal” and is recognized as
the organization to assist the government on issues related to management of the environment and its
preservation. The foundation is led by manager Leslie Hickerson, and has three core staff members, as
well as four temporary project-based staff members. The foundation is part of the regional network,
DCNA (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance).