Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands will visit Sint Eustatius and Bonaire from Tuesday 18 November to Friday 21 November. The visit will focus on the work of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and on social initiatives taking place across the islands. The Princess is the Patroness of DCNA.
In the morning, Princess Beatrix will visit the ReforeStatia nursery, which forms part of the reforestation project of the St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA). The greenhouse cultivates young native plants and trees. The project contributes to the island’s biodiversity, reduces erosion, and limits the flow of sediment into the ocean. The Princess will be given a tour of the greenhouse and a presentation by Junior Rangers on the different plant species, followed by a short walk through the garden. The nursery grows native trees and shrubs to restore the island’s dry forests and strengthen climate resilience.
Afterwards, the Princess will receive a briefing on the protection of the Antillean iguana, a native species that is critically endangered on the island. This iguana is found only on the Windward Islands. Through breeding programmes, efforts are being made to safeguard the population on Sint Eustatius. In the presence of the Princess, a member of the STENAPA team will release an Antillean iguana near the nursery, symbolising ongoing efforts to protect the island’s wildlife.
Next, the Princess will visit the Public Library, where she will be updated on the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), a UNICEF programme that assists municipalities in developing a safe and nurturing environment for children. A group of young people will present the programme’s key action points through their own photographs, paintings, and drawings. Topics will include the child rights impact assessment, youth participation, and mental health.
In the afternoon, Princess Beatrix will visit the Government Guest House in the historic centre of Oranjestad, where STENAPA will outline the importance of collaboration in environmental management and the interconnection between culture and nature. The Princess will also meet with various representatives to discuss these matters. Together with STENAPA and members of the community, the Princess will plant a tree to symbolise the bond between STENAPA and the people of Statia.
The Princess will then open the Kings Well National Park Centre, STENAPA’s new facility. The new centre serves as a modern headquarters for environmental management, research, and education, featuring a marine laboratory to support coral restoration. Following the formal programme, the Princess will receive a tour and briefing in the laboratory, after which she will meet several Junior Rangers to discuss the importance of nature conservation.
The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is a non-profit organisation established to protect the natural environment in the Dutch Caribbean. It is an alliance comprising the Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF), the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (Carmabi), the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten (NFSXM), the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), the Sint Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA), and the Bonaire National Parks Foundation (STINAPA Bonaire). The nature organisations on the six islands of the Dutch Caribbean collaborate to enhance environmental management, ensure sustainable fundraising, promote environmental education, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge.
A Regional Approach: The Key Habitats Programme
The Royal Visit highlights the Dutch Caribbean’s growing cooperation in conservation. DCNA recently launched its Conservation and Restoration of Key Habitats Programme, a long-term initiative that unites all six islands—Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Statia and St Maarten—under a shared strategy to protect and restore five crucial ecosystems: coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, tropical dry forests and tropical wet forests. Funded by the National Postcode Loterij, WWF-NL and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the programme uses internationally recognised conservation standards to guide collaborative action through to 2100. It aims to strengthen biodiversity, enhance climate resilience and ensure that nature continues to support both people and economies across the Dutch Caribbean.