Washington Slagbaai National Park is a natural park located on the northwest coast of Bonaire, part of the Caribbean Netherlands. Spanning over 5,000 acres, this park is a haven for wildlife and a true representation of the island’s diverse ecosystems. Visitors can explore a variety of landscapes, from rugged coastal cliffs and white sandy beaches to dry forests and vibrant salt flats. The park is home to many endemic species, including the endangered Bonaire parrot, and offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, snorkeling, and diving in crystal-clear waters. Rich in history, the park also features the ruins of old plantations, reflecting the island’s cultural heritage. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, nature enthusiast, or history buff, Washington Slagbaai National Park promises an unforgettable experience in one of the Caribbean’s most stunning natural environments.
History
After the demise of the WIC in 1791, Plantation Slagbaai became the property of the Dutch government. The four yellow buildings at Boka Slagbaai can still be visited as well as the older plantation house and other built heritage. In 1920 the northern part of the plantation was sold to two American brothers and got the name ‘Washington’. The buildings they constructed now house the entrance to the park, as well as a small natural history museum. At one point the plantation exported salt, charcoal, and as many as 3000 goats a year to Curaçao.
Activities
The park offers a wide range of activities, including;
Bird watching
Mountain biking
Overnight stays at Boka Slagbaai
Visiting dunes, salt pans, and white sandy beaches
The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to the festive launch of a new coloring book, Soualiga Colors. The free launch event will take place from 9am to noon this Saturday, February 15th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. The new book celebrates the rich colors found in St. Martin’s plant and animal life. It will be given away for free at the launch. The event will also feature a coloring station, and a craft station where kids and adults can decorate colorful wooden bookmarks to take home.
Soualiga Colors helps kids learn the names for colors while highlighting the spectacular colors of our local nature. An image guide on the back cover has bright photos of all the featured plants and animals. Inside, kids will find two coloring pages for each color name. Each one has a local plant or animal of that color, with the color name in all four languages. Each coloring page is also paired with a page where they can practice writing the color names.
Rediskubri un otro parti den area di Kenepa lubidá pa hopi, ku guia di Pisa Tera.
Tradishon nobo kuminsa den aña bieu, ta sigui den aña nobo. Bin kana ku nos na e prome kaminata di aña aki riba un ruta “nobo” tòg bieu, ku nòmber e “Nobo”. Redeskubrí bòu di guia di “Pisa Tera” un otro parti den area di Kenepa lubida pa hopi. E lo bai splika e ròl ku e area aki tabatin den nos historia. Bin disfruta di un mainta dushi den naturalesa i airu fresku, na mes momentu forma i bira parti di e tradishon.
Are you passionate about, wanting to become more aware of, working with, or maybe even owning cultural heritage in the Dutch Caribbean? Then this is the Conference for you!
Please join our conference with the theme ‘Awareness’, where you’ll have the chance to delve into the rich cultural heritage of the Dutch Caribbean islands of Sint Maarten, Saba, and St Eustatius.
Through either an in-person or an online program, you’ll explore monuments and other cultural sites that are often overlooked, while gaining insights into the diverse history of the region. Engage with local heritage professionals, share knowledge, and collaborate on finding sustainable solutions to the current challenges these islands are facing.
Whether you join us in person or virtually, this conference offers you a platform for learning, discussion, and collective action toward preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the windward islands of the Dutch Caribbean.
This 1947 film “People of Saba” looks at the small Caribbean island which is the smallest special municipality (officially “public body”) of the Netherlands. Saba consists largely of the potentially active volcano Mount Scenery, at 887 meters (2,910 ft) the highest point of the entire Netherlands. The film was made before an airport was built on the island, and it was essentially cut off from the outside world except by ship. Saba has a land area of 13 square kilometers (5.0 sq mi). As of January 2013, the population was 1,991 inhabitants, with a population density of 150 inhabitants per square kilometer (390/sq mi). Its towns and major settlements are The Bottom (the capital), Windwardside, Hell’s Gate, and St. Johns.
The vegetation of Saba is mainly composed of woodland forest with ferns, damp soil, and many mango trees. Visitors refer to Saba’s forests as “the Elfin Forest” because of its high altitude mist, and mossy appearance. A woodland reserve was created and named “Elfin Forest Reserve”. Saba’s lush plant and animal wildlife is diverse and is cared for by the Saba Conservation Foundation. There used to be forests of Mountain Mahogany trees until a hurricane in the 1960s destroyed many of the trees, which are Freziera undulata in the family Theaceae. Despite the common name, these trees are not related to other Mahogany species. One species of true mahogany tree is found planted on the island at lower levels, and that is the small-leaved mahogany ‘Swietenia mahagoni’, Meliaceae. The native mahogany trees are considered to be at risk of becoming extinct on Saba.
Today the tourism industry now contributes more to the island’s economy than any other sector. There are about 25,000 visitors each year. Saba has a number of inns, hotels, rental cottages, and restaurants. Saba is known as the “Unspoiled Queen” of the Caribbean. The island is especially known for its ecotourism, having exceptional scuba diving, climbing,
and hiking. The Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport offers flights to and from the nearby islands of St. Maarten and Sint Eustatius. There is also a ferry service from St. Maarten; the ferry boats “Dawn II ~ The Saba Ferry” and “The Edge” both travel to Saba three times a week. In addition, there are anchorages for private boats.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA.
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