The Nature Foundation is a non-governmental/non-profit organization working to
promote conservation and preservation of the island’s environment. Established in
January 1997 the Foundation’s objectives include enhancing the environment through
proper manag ement, education, public awareness, law enforcement, and scientific
research and monitoring.
Currently the Marine Park is focused on numerous projects, one of which is maintaining
the Mooring Program. Boat moorings reduce the damage caused by anchoring, which
accounts for a substantial amount of coral reef destruction. More than 20 moorings, to
be used by local boats and dive operators, have been installed by the Nature Foundation
in the Marine Park that provide protection to our most important dive areas.
With the funding assistance of the Dutch Recovery Fund and the Tourist Office of St.
Maarten, The Nature Foundation of St Maarten has been able to start its first Artificial
Reef Program of its kind. With the cooperation of Reef Ball Foundation, over 150 Reef
Balls of all sizes will be deployed, around the coastal waters of St. Maarten.
Reef Balls are artificial reef modules designed to provide the same function as a natural
reef. The form and function are designed to be as close to nature as possible. They are
made from concrete poured into a fiberglass mold containing a central Polyform buoy
and various inflatable side balls that provide holes and cavities. Reef Balls vary in size,
weighing from 11 kg, the smallest size, to 1800 kg the largest size. With a variable size,
shape and number of holes, Reef balls imitate nature to a great extent.
The Reef Ball Foundation is an international environmental non-profit group. Their
mission is to help restore our world’s ocean ecosystems and to emphasize and protect
our natural reef systems through preservation, technology, and innovative public
education opportunities, and community involvement. The Reef Ball Foundation
coordinates over 200 projects worldwide, including Curacao, and now St. Maarten.
Besides several projects in the Caribbean, the Reef ball Foundation have built over
200,000 Reef Balls and deployed them in over 1500 projects worldwide.
Coral reefs, mangrove forests and sea grass beds, are typical Caribbean ecosystems that
are all found on St. Maarten. Within these habitats you will be able to find an
assortment of fauna, such as tropical fish, Queen Conch, iguanas, sea turtles, several
species of marine birds and other protected species.
Molly B'day, Pelican Rock, Hen and Chicks, and Cow and Calf as well as the Proselyte
are some of the last pristine marine locations on the island, where excellent diving and
breeding grounds for birds, fish and other marine life can be encountered.
The Nature Foundation of St. Maarten, in an ongo ing effort to increase public awareness
and education through sustainable management welcomes the Reef Ball Project with
open arms, as it will increase the tourism value of the island, by increasing dive
destinations. Additionally, it will also enhance the diving possibilities, and will add to our
eco-tourism value.
