newsletter of the CARMABI foundation - Liveincuracao.com

5th Year number 2 April-June 2007Binánewsletter of the CARMABI foundationCARMABI Clear WaterChallenge 2007; Ryande Jongh kayaks fornature!Page 5New boardmembersPage 7New Activities inChristoffelparkPage 12Save the bats and Cacti of Curaçao!Urgent call from associate researcher of CARMABIDr. Sophie Petit ... page 3

Table of contentsEditors note... 2CARMABI news... 3- Associate researcher Dr. SophiePetit visits Curaçao... anoverview of her activities... 3- Meet our new lecture room... 4- CARMABI Clear WaterChallenge... join the challengeto save our natural resources ... 5- CARMABI helps Klinika Caprilesplant shimaruku trees... 6- New members on the CARMABIboard... 7- Sponsors... 9- Hurricane readiness... 10- Upgrading administrativecapacity... 10- Summer workshops have mettheir expectations... 10- Regular sightings of the rarescaly-naped pigeon at Carmabi...11Christoffel corner... 12- Christoffelpark in Brazilianmagazine... 12- Special activities in theChristoffelpark in September,October, November andDecember... 12- Introducing two new interns... 13- Museum Savonet... an update... 13- Raindrops work their magic... 14- News in a flash... 15Advertisement... 16Particulars for this edition:Photography:Mrs. M. da Costa GomezMr. L. PorsMrs. Dr. S. PetitMr. Drs. J. de FreitasDesign:Mrs. M. da Costa GomezEditors noteNature is taking a breath and a very needed drink from the severalrainshowers that hit the island in the last couple of weeks. Everythingis alive again and nature provides us with interesting things to observe.Read about all the happenings in the Christoffelpark on page 11 and beinspired to take out your own binoculars and camera.It is not only in the wild that everything is growing, floweringand fruiting. At CARMABI there are some very interesting thingshappening. We are at the beginning and in the middle of several newsuper exiting projects like the CARMABI Clear Water Challenge,where Ryan de Jongh will be attempting an amazing record to kayakaround our island. It will be the greatest fundraising campaignCARMABI has ever organized and we are determined, as is Ryan tomake this a wonderful happening. Stay tuned for our updates on this.Now that we have a completely equiped lecture room at CARMABIwe are starting to organize more and more activities for the generalpublic in the form of lectures, talks, presentations and film showings.We started using it all ready with the presentation by Dr. Sophie Petitin August and the presentation by Prof. Bruce Fouke in September.Many presentations will follow so be sure to be up to date.Of course we did not want to deprive you of the work of Dr. SophiePetit who has been doing very important research on the bats andcactus relationships on the island. She has a lot to say, and in this letteryou will find the first of the “scripts” she wrote for the newsletter. Inthe next edition we will publish more information about her researchresults. Enjoy an overview of her activities on page 3.And do not forget to read the update on the Museum Savonet project.Interesting things keep happening around this huge project that you donot want to miss.We do hope that you will enjoy this very varied newsletter, the thirdone of this year. And do not hesitate to contact us if you have anyquestions!Enjoy and we will meet you again inour next newsletter!The editors.Editors:Mrs. M. da Costa GomezMr. L. PorsMr. Dr. A. DebrotCover Photo:Leptonycteris nivalis curasoaePhoto by: L. Pors2

CARMABI newsAssociate researcher Dr. Sophie Petit visits Curaçao... an overview of her activitiesBy: Dr. Sophie PetitI came to Curaçao for the firsttime in December 1990, toinvestigate projects for my PhDresearch. I came back in thesummer of 1991 to do pilot workon grazing interactions amongdeer, goats, and donkeys, butsomehow ended up working onbats. The importance of bats andcacti to the Curaçao ecosystemseemed significant and bothorganisms had irresistible charm.I was hooked. I completed myPhD field work between 1992and 1994, defended my thesis inNovember 1994, and graduatedofficially the next year, althoughI could not attend my owngraduation, since I was in Mexico,working on bats and cacti!For too many years I did notcome back to Curaçao. I workedas a geneticist in Miami, got apost-graduate business degree inFrance, worked with Aboriginalpeople in Australia, then movedpermanently to Australia andworked as a Conservation Officerfor the Great Barrier Reef MarinePark in the Whitsundays, beforemoving on to the University ofSouth Australia, where I am aSenior Lecturer in the Programof Biodiversity, Environmentaland Park Management. I teachcourses in ecology, conservationbiology, wildlife ecology, researchstatistics, and I do research onall sorts of fascinating Australiananimals and plants. I was ableto come back to Curaçao in 2003for a few weeks, and completedwith Anna Rojer and Leon Pors amajor study on the status of batson the island. Leon and I alsostarted other projects, giving mea good excuse to come back thisyear.This time I spent a month atCARMABI (19 July-19 August),working hard, but I was in theoffice too much. I cherish thelong hot days in the sun lookingup at cactus flowers, followedby exhausting nights looking upat bats. Someone has to do it!My colleagues Leon, Anna, andI completed another bat survey.This information, along withsurveying technique knowledge, isto be presented at the InternationalBat Conference in Merida,Mexico, on the 23rd of August,since Hurricane Dean spared us.Leon and I finished gatheringthe data for our paper on theconsumption of cactus fruitsby birds and on the growth andrecruitment of cacti. Findingthe time to write the paper isanother story, but at least the datahave been analysed. Anna andI are also preparing a project onthe viability of cactus seeds atdifferent stages of consumption bybirds. Fruits are targeted by birdsbefore they are ripe and it is likelythat when most fruits are eaten,few seeds are viable, creating aproblem for the recruitment ofcacti (growth of seedlings).I was very happy to have a greataudience at my presentation onthe interdependence betweenbats and cacti on the 15th ofAugust. It is now up to all thosewho attended to carry the flag! Ishould say: the flags. The talkcovered an introduction to thebats and cacti of Curaçao, a crashcourse in genetics and pollination,and a scary section on the threatsto bats and cacti. A positive“Sophie Petit during her presentation atCARMABI last August 15th”“Leon Pors and Anna Rojer at thebeginning of a bat status count in a localcave”“Cactus flower bud of the Kadushi cactus(Subpilocereus repandus)”3

“Sophie during her stay in 2003, analyzinga Pteronautus species which up till then wasnever identified as such”CARMABI newsnote was that everyone wasenthusiastic about preserving batsand cacti. In view of the threatsto these organisms, I wrote shortdocuments for information to thegeneral public and governmentorganisations. The documentsI wrote on the importance ofbats and cacti to Curaçao will bepresented in the next newsletters.An exciting part of my stayinvolved starting the book onthe bats of Aruba, Bonaire, andCuraçao, co-authored by Leonand Anna. The draft is lookinggood, but it will still take manymonths to get a finished product,especially since I have more thana full-time job in Australia. Weplan to write the book in Englishand Papiamentu. It will introducethe public to the bats of theABC islands, to their role in theecosystem, and to our relationshipwith bats. It will not simply be aspecies guide; it will also be fullof other interesting information.Oh, and WE ARE LOOKINGFOR SPONSORS!Once again it has been a privilegeto enjoy the nature of Curaçao,the company of my wonderfulcolleagues, and the hospitality ofCARMABI. CARMABI’s rolein nature conservation must besupported; conservation is ourright and our duty. Without abody equipped to conserve ourbeautiful nature, we will suffertragic consequences. With vibrantresearch and adequate support,CARMABI can work towardsthe education of the public andthe conservation of our preciousresources. I leave the island withsadness, but with many projectsthat will require my visit in theyears to come. T’aworo!In our next newsletter we will publish two articles by Dr. Petit about the importance of bats and cacti for theCuraçaoan ecology.Meet the new lecture room at CARMABIIn the whole process of changethat CARMABI has been in sinceAugust last year, one thing wasalways obvious: we were in needof a multifunctional room apt formeetings, courses, workshops andpresentations.The biggest existing room was theformer director’s office and thechoice to convert this room intothis mentioned multifunctionalroom was very easy. Thanks to thesponsoring of S.E.L. Maduro &Sons (Curaçao) NV we were ableto furnish the room and prepare itfor its multifunctions.It has already been used for theSummer courses and severalmeetings and presentations.A good choice it was!4

CARMABI newsCARMABI Clear Water Challenge.... join the challenge to save our natural resources!Ryan de Jongh kayaks aroundCuraçao!Ryan de Jongh, well known forhis long running program onTV11 called Caribe Awe, andof course for his amazing sportsendeavors, will be featuring hisnewest challenge: Kayakingaround the island in 50 hours! Anew record for him!Help the CARMABI foundationand become a sponsor!Ryan’s and CARMABI’s goalis to raise 100.000 guilders forthe development of the CuraçaoMarine Park Research andVisitors Center. To raise thisquantity we need sponsors tosponsor kilometers. It is alsopossible to donate funds for thisproject.CARMABI total awarenessweekend; kayaking for nature.With his attempt Ryan wants toraise public awareness for theimportance of nature conservationon our island, hence to raise100.000 guilders in funds for thedevolopment of a Curaçao MarinePark Research and Visitors Centerat the CARMABI foundation.During the challenge on the 17thand 18th of November while Ryanis kayaking, a film crew will befilming his efforts and transmitthese directly on TV11 andseveral radio stations. Informationand shots about nature on landand in the sea will be given duringthe transmissions.Also two competitions will beorganized: a prize contest and adrawing competition for kids.Ryan’s routeOn the 17th of NovemberRyan will kayak out of the St.Annabaai. The route will beabout 150 kilometers long. Ryanwill be taking short breaks inorder to get medical checkupsand supplies. These will occur atPlaya Kanoa at 10.00 hours in themorning and at the Northern tipof Curaçao at 22.00 hrs. After thelast break Ryan will kayak alongthe southern coast and arrivesback at the St. Annabaai betweenapproximately 15.00 and 18.00hrs. Upon his arrival Ryan will begiving a press conference at thePlaza Hotel.During the whole attempt Ryanwill be accompanied by threecrafts to ensure his safety andprovide continuous filmingopportunities.Sponsoring conditionsCheck our website at www.carmabi.org for the sponsoringconditions and downloadablesponsoring contracts.Drawing CompetitionFor all the kids between 8 and12 years we are organizing adrawing competition. Draw andcolor a scene from the localunderwater world with fishes,corals and any other animal orplant that lives there and sendyour drawing (minimum formatA4, no maximum), to CARMABIbefore the 10th of November, tothe attention of mrs. M. da CostaGomez. Don’t forget to write yourname, address, telephone number,e-mail address and age on theback of your drawing.Send your drawing to:CARMABI foundationClear Water Challenge DrawingCompetitionP.O.Box 2090Curaçao, or deliver it personallyat the CARMABI offices.“Ryan during one of his trainingsessions, visiting Caracasbay”Help the CARMABIfoundation and becomea sponsor!Join the CARMABIClear Water Challenge2007 on November 17and 18 and give a handto protect nature onour island.5

CARMABI newsA professional jury consisting ofthe well known artists AnnemiekeDicke, Marja Tukker and AshleyMauricio, will select the fivewinning drawings. The prizes arecomplete snorkel sets! Moreovera selection of all the drawingsreceived, will be displayed in theChristoffelpark museum.Price CompetitionCheck our website at www.carmabi.org and look for thequestion that has to be answered.Send your answer by email toinfo@carmabi.org or post it to theaddress of CARMABI mentionedunder the drawing competition.Make sure the envelope is closedproperly and mention name,address, telephone number, emailaddress and age under youranswer.From the correct answers we willextract 5 winners who will be ableto enjoy a guided snorkel tour bythe Marine park manager.Bank accountsFor donations and sponsoring forthis challenging event you can usethe following bank accounts:Banco di Caribe:01-509-242890-01MCB bank: 22.83.16.06Please mention the followingwhen transferring yourcontribution: CARMABI ClearWater Challenge, sponsoringCARMABI foundation.Stay tuned for our regular updates concerning the CARMABI Clear Water Challenge 2007Carmabi helps Klinika Capriles with the greening of the areas around the patient’s houses(‘Kas Florisol’) on the premises of the institution“The ripe fruits of the ‘Shimaruku’”Recently Carmabi planted 20trees of the West Indian cherry(“shimaruku”) on the premises ofthe Klinika Capriles (KC). Theseplants came from Carmabi’snursery of indigenous plants atPiscaderabaai. The “shimaruku”is one of the plant species with thehighest vitamin C content knownto man. The planting that tookplace recently is part of a biggerproject that Carmabi has beencontracted for by the KC and thatentails the planting of a total of47 trees and 83 shrubs near thesection of patients that live a moreindependent life on the premisesof KC (‘Kas Florisol’).“The planting of the first “shimaruku”tree by André Stoltenborg(facilities manager Klinika Capriles)and John de Freitas.”All the 130 plants that will beused are indigenous plants.Carmabi has expertise on theuse of indigenous plants forlandscaping and reforestation. Thepurpose that KC wants to meetwith the project is that it wantsits patients to rehabilitate in afamiliar surrounding and involvethem in the keeping and wateringof the plants.The planted “shimaruku” trees(although still relatively small)have already produced their firstfruits which have been enjoyed bythe patients and personnel of KC.Persons or organizationsinterested in contracting Carmabifor landscaping purposes usingindigenous plants can contact drs.John de Freitas (freitasj@cura.net)or tel. 4624242 ext. 16.6

CARMABI newsNew members on the CARMABI boardDuring the first three quarters of 2007 we welcomed four new members to the Carmabi board. Inchronological order of their acceptance of board membership these are Peter Bongers, Miguel Goede,Jeffrey Sybesma and Dito Abbad, all four of whom are well-known and respected members of the localcommunity. We thank them all for their willingness to serve on the board and are delighted to literally havethem “on board”.Peter Bongers joined the boardin January 2007 and accepted thefunction of treasurer starting inJune. He was born in Apeldoornin the Netherlands and took anearly interest in nature. As memberof the local scouting heorganized and led many hikesand summer camps, also in thesurrounding woodlands of theVeluwe. He studied businesseconomics and accountancy atthe University of Tilburg andlater served in the Dutch army.He and his wife (Myriam) andthree children (Bas, Eva and Otto)moved to Curaçao in 1996 wherehe served as auditor with Ernstand Young for several years andlater became partner of the localpartnership. Seeking a new challenge,in 2005 he accepted thefunction of Chief FinancialOfficer of Maduro & Curiel’sBank N.V. As of 1999 Peterhas also been active for theAlbert Schweitzer school: first astreasurer of the ‘oudercommissie’and as from 2002 as treasurerof the ‘Books-fund’. Peter hasimmediately immersed himself inadministration matters of Carmabiand is intensively coaching thestaff and personnel in their effortsto upgrade this aspect of theorganization.Peter Bongers, Msc.RA CIA CFSAMiguel Goede was born in Paramaribo,Surinam, but spent mostof his later youth in Curaçao.He took an early interest in thefields of psychology and sociologyand in how to achieve resultswith people. In 1987 he earned amaster’s degree in political scienceand public administration(University of Nijmegen) whilein 2005 he earned a doctorate inpublic administration and managementfrom the University ofTilburg. He and his wife Gracielahave two children (Christopherand Stephanie) and run their ownconsultancy firm. Miguel has along and diverse carreer in policyand management matters and hasserved several key functions forthe island government of Curaçaosince 1987. Today he is a facultymember of the University of theNetherlands Antilles where heamong others serves as programcoordinator for the program inPublic Administration and GeneralManagement. Has beenexecuting multiple projects in theNetherlands Antilles in such fieldsas interim management, writingbusiness plans, change management,Governmental organizationsubjects, leadership, and tourismawareness and has authored morethan 17 books, articles and scientificreports and studies on relatedsubjects. He joined the Carmabiboard in January 2007. During aninformal Carmabi new year’s receptionon January 12, he gave aninspiring presentation on changemanagement to the Carmabi staffand board.Miguel Goede, Msc.,Dr.7

Jeff Sybesma, Mr. Msc.LLM.CARMABI newsNew members on the CARMABI board (continued)Jeffrey Sybesma was born inJakarta, Indonesia but spent mostof his youth in Curaçao. He attendedhigh school at the MariaImmaculata Lyceum (MIL) inWillemstad and studied biologyat the University of Utrecht inthe Netherlands, specializing inmarine biology. After serving inthe Dutch armed forces he returnedto Curaçao in 1983 to serveas the manager of the CuraçaoMarine Park and as scientific staffmember of Carmabi. In 1992he accepted a policy function inthe Department of Public Healthand Hygiene of the NetherlandsAntilles. In 1996 he completed alaw degree at the University of theNetherlands Antilles (UNA) andin 1998 accepted a faculty positionin the law school there, wherehe served as Dean in 2000. As of2001 he works as head of the legaldepartment of the Central Bank ofthe Netherlands Antilles.Up to this day he continues asguest lecturer at the UNA and ischairman of the board of the lawjournal Stichting Tijdschrift AntilliaansRecht-Justicia. Throughouthis career he has published dozensof scholarly studies and articles ontopics relating to marine biologyand natural resources legislation.He is married to Verna Garmeswith whom he raises his stepdaughterShakira.Dito Abbad, Ir.Dito Abbad was born in Curaçaoand spent his childhood in postwarWillemstad.He graduated with a masters degreein engineering from the DelftUniversity of Technology in theNetherlands in 1971, and returnedto Curaçao to work as an architect,urban designer and developmentplanner.Dito took an early interest innature. His first principal assignmentfor his studies at Delft wasa plan recommending Savonet asa national park. The project wasconducted under auspices of theCuraçao Service of Public Works(DOW) and Carmabi associateand conservationist, Dr. JanWestermann, and gave criticalimpetus towards the ultimate governmentpurchase of the Savonetplantation from the Schotborghfamily and its opening as a naturepark in 1978. He is co-founderof PLAN’D2, Institute for Planning,Development & Design withoffices in Aruba, Curaçao andSt. Maarten and works as a leadconsultant in projects on regionalplanning, strategic planning studies,urban design and planningand architecture. At times he alsoserves as manager of interdisciplinaryresearch and design teams.His specific fields of expertiseinclude insular development planning,coaching of governmentagencies, conservation policystudies, development and urbanmaster planning and urban andarchitectural design.Since 1973 he has been active incommunity advocacy and interestgroups, and since 1989 in environmentalorganizations. Dito is marriedand has three adult children.Farewell to two retiring boardmembers in 2007Two board member retired from their function this year. These are Percy Virginia, attorney at law anddirector of Banco di Caribe. who served for five years in the function of Treasurer and board memberMrs. Joke Curiel, attorney at law. We thank them for their support and efforts on behalf of Carmabi. Bothpledged to continue supporting the foundation behind the scenes. A sincere thanks for your years of input!!8

CARMABI newsSponsorsSeveral companies sponsored CARMABI during the past months for all sorts of projects and general purposes.Hereis a list of those who contributed to sustainable management of our natural resources:S.E.L. Maduro & Sons(Curaçao) N.V.The S.E.L. Maduro & Sons(Curaçao) N.V. represented by mr.Hugo Meyer is the sole sponsorof CARMABI’s new lecture roomfor the Visitors Center in the firstfloor. The company generouslydonated Nafl. 6,938.25 for theentire project. Read more aboutthis educational center on page 4in “Meet the new lecture room”.CARMABI would like to expressits gratitude for this wonderfulcontribution. Thanks to S.E.L.Maduro & Sons (Curaçao)N.V. we do not only have aclassroom but also a well preparededucational room in which wecan organize courses like wedid with our most recent MarineBiology Course and Mariculturecourse (during the summer), andoffer presentations and lecturesby our staff, visiting scientistsand associate researchers ofthe institute; most recently thepresentation in August by Dr.Sophie Petit about the importanceof bats and cacti.DVB Bank America N.V.The Curaçao Marine Park isstanding on the verge of bigchanges.To start everything off, it isimportant to reestablish the basicinfrastructure in the Marine park.The sponsoring of the DVB BankAmerica N.V., represented bymr. Bote de Vries, will be 30 newmooring buoys for the differentdive sites in the Marine Park.With their more than generousdonation of Nafl. 9750 themooring buoys can be purchasedand deployed.Mooring buoys are very importantto avoid mechanical damage tothe coral reef caused by boatanchors. During the last few yearsthe mooring system was not keptin the most adequate condition.With this financial injection weare able to reinstate this importantprotective measure.We hereby sincerely thank mr.de Vries and the DVB BankAmerica N.V. for their valuablecontribiution to the protection ofour coral reefs.HICC office FurnitureA lecture room needs furnitureand chairs are particularlyimportant. We would like to thankHICC Office Furniture for theirvery generous discount of Nafl.1125 on the chairs that we boughtfrom them.Truus and Daan RijkersThe Adopt a tree project is stillgoing strong and several peoplefind the way to this project to givea hand and help our reforestationefforts.Mrs. and Mr. Truus and DaanRijkers are also giving a hand byadopting 3 rare native trees whichare to be planted in October whenthe rainy season is in full swing,in this way guaranteeing a goodstart for the plants.Thank you very much for yourcontribution!Stichting Sinkuentenario ABN AMRO TrustWe have great news. De Stichting Sinkuentenario ABN AMROTrust (a foundation), sponsored the CARMABI foundation with afantastic amount of NAF. 25.000 last August. Now that CARMABIis working very hard to upgrade the laboratory facilities, developstudy and lesson rooms and of course the introduction of the CuraçaoMarine Park Visitor Center, this incredible sponsoring will assist in theseefforts. Thanks to this we can make an effective start to transfer knowledgeabout coral reefs to the public through different kinds of methods. And with the equipment we can sustainseveral research projects by visiting scientists, work that never finishes and is important to increase ourunderstanding about our sea’s ecosystems. It therefore is indeed a sustainable contribution to our institute.We therefore thank the Stichting Sinkuentenario ABN AMRO Trust very very much for their incrediblesupport and we wish to particularly thank mr. Gosse de Vries (from Equity Trust) and mr. Pim van der Burg(from FirstCaribbean Bank), respectively the chairman and secretary of this foundation.9

Ingvar Debrot showing some of the preparationshe helped with in an effort to ready theinstitute for the fast-approaching hurricaneFelix (Saturday, 1 September, 2007).CARMABI newsHurricane readinessThe Carmabi institute representsmore than 50 years of investmentin materials references,equipment, resources andscientific infrastructure, much ofit donated. As such it is importantto protect the totality frompotential natural calamities suchas hurricanes. On Friday the 31stof August it had become clearthat hurricane Felix (category 1but growing rapidly in strength)was heading more or less straightto the the Leeward Dutch islandsand precautionary measureswere called for. On Saturday,September 1st Stanley Criens andson Rainier and Dolfi with sonIngvar spent 4 hours hammeringboards, taping windows, movingvaluable equipment to safe roomsand putting loose items in windprotectedareas. On Friday theboats had already been movedinto the sheltered PiscaderaBay and heavy tree branchesthat could cause structuraldamage to the building had beensawed down. On the morningof Sunday, September the 2ndFelix passed the island at shortdistance but fortunately left theisland unscathed. Recent yearshave seen several close calls onhurricanes menacing Curaçao andin the near future Carmabi willcome with measures to reduce itsvulnerability to hurricane damage,including the development of ahurricane protocol.A properly functioningadministration is vital to anyorganization. To this endseveral measures have beentaken this year to reinforce theorganization’s administrativecapabilities. Purchases were madeof a new laptop and scanner forthe administration. New ExactGlobe software was purchasedand our administrator EllaUpgrading Administrative capacityreceived two days of training inits use. Janie de Windt was takeninto temporary service as anadministrative assistant to helpreduce some of the administrativebacklog. She will be with us for atleast several more months. Nexton schedule will be to purchaseand install internal networkcapabilities and a program forthe administration of fixed assets(E-Activa). Special thanks goto treasurer Peter Bongers forquite intensively coaching theadministration towards moreeffective procedures and forhelping to implement measurespreviously recommended by ourauditors. He has spent many hourstogether with the administrationtowards streamlining working andreporting procedures.Carmabi’s academic programtogether with the UNA, openedin July 2007 with a one-weekworkshop on Mariculture and aten-day workshop on TropicalMarine Biology and Environment.Interest in the workshops camefrom the USA, Japan, Europe,Caribbean countries and Curaçao.The two workshops were lead bytop scientists and both workshopswere accredited by UNA.Summer workshops have met their expectationsThe workshop SUSTAINABLEMARICULTURE of FISH &CRUSTACEANS was instructedby Prof. Dr. Sheenan Harpazfrom Israel. This workshopaimed at understanding theinteractions between maricultureand the environment in a mannerthat will help the protection oftropical marine ecosystems whileenabling the production of fishand crustaceans. Issues addressed10were sustainable mariculturemethods, feed inputs and properfeed utilization to reduce costs andreduce environmental impacts.Participants in the workshopincluded people from governmentservices, the private sector andNGO sector in Curaçao.The workshop MARINEBIOLOGY ANDENVIRONMENT was instructedby Dr. Sean Lema from the

CARMABI newsSummer workshops have met their expectations (continued)USA. The workshop was anintensive introductory programon tropical marine biology andcovered aspects of the physicalproperties of tropical marinesystems, coastal ecosystems(coral reefs, sea grass habitats andmangroves), reef fishes (ecologyand behavior), environmentalimpacts and conservation, andfield survey methods. Participantsin the workshop included studentsof the UNA and local highschools, Columbia University(USA), national park staff fromSTINAPA-Bonaire, and localgovernment agencies.The workshops, their syllabi,organization, learning conditionsand instructors were highlyscored by the combined total of21 participants. While the courseswere run at a net financial lossto Carmabi, they did signify agreat and encouraging kick-offfor the academic and vocationaltraining program. In 2007 and2008 Carmabi will conduct andfacilitate at least two coursesof the University of Illinois,as well as workshops on suchtopics as Marine Biology andEcology, Mariculture, AquacultureDevelopment Planning and WaterManagement in Semi-Arid Areas.Regular sightings of the rare scaly-naped pigeon at CarmabiFor the last two years, includingseveral times as recent asSeptember 2007, a number of therare scaly-naped pigeon have beenseen during the early morninghours in the tall manchineel treesat the institute at Piscadera Bay.The scaly-naped pigeon, Columbasquamosa, is locally known asthe blauwduif. The bird is veryrare in Curaçao but this may bechanging. A growing number ofrecent sightings by Dr. Debrot inwood lots near residential areassuch as Julianadorp, De Savaan,the Kura Hulanda hotel groundsat Playa Kalki, and even onesighting each at Girouette andSeru Domi are interpreted as apositive sign heralding a gradualrecovery of the species on theisland. The blauwduif is a pigeonthat is quite wary, especiallyduring nesting, and dependsprincipally on native wild berriesfor food. As agricultural activitieshave drastically decreased inrecent decades (grazing andthe felling of trees), woodlandsaround the island have beengradually recovering. Recentdecades have also seen huntingfor sport decline precipitously asenvironmental consciousness hasgrown. These are probably thereasons underlying the apparentcomeback of this species. Thisis good news considering thefact that the species has alreadybeen extirpated on Aruba in the1950s due to a combination ofhunting and habitat loss due todeforestation.A Blauwduif (Columbasquamosa) sitting on top ofone of the Machineel treeson the CARMABI premises atPiscaderabay.Note the fiery red patcharound the bill and the rednaked skin around the eyesthat give the bird a particularlook. The slade-blue hue onthe feathercoat are reason forthe name.Picture by mr. Drs. L Pors11

Christoffel cornerChristoffelpark in Brazilian magazineThe Christoffelpark received verynice coverage in the Braziliannature-oriented glossy magazinenamed Terra da Gente.The article was written andphotographed by mr. HaroldoCastro, who visited the park lastMarch. Together with mr. LeonPors, mrs. Michelle da CostaGomez and mr. Cyrill Kooistra heexplored the diverse locations inthe park and joined us on a DeerSpotting Sunset Tour. Althoughwe searched for over three hourswe only saw one deer in the darkwhen going back to the entrance.This did not provide a very goodphoto opportunity so in steadHaroldo used one of the mostpopular pictures by Leon Pors ofthe white tailed deer with twins.Haroldo was particularlyinterested in the historical part ofSavonet and this, together withspectacular pictures formed animportant part in his article.The next day mr. Castro joinedus on a tour trough the southernpart of the park, climbing theChristoffel mountain in search ofwild orchids and birds.Haroldo is off to other foreignplaces, of which Tibet is the mostrecent, to report stories and sharephotographs of beautiful culturesand nature.Are you interested in readingabout his adventures, than takea look at his blog at http://viajologia.globolog.com.br/It is in Portuguese!Christoffelpark Activities in September and OctoberOur activities plan for the months of September and October is set. Take a look at the list below for fullmoon walks, camping days, morning walks and family excursions. For more information about these activitiesyou can contact mr. Cyrill Kooistra at c.kooistra@carmabi.org. Or join the mailing list to get regularupdates!Date Activity price p.p. in Naf Time IncludingSeptember 22 Full Moon Walk Adults 15,00/kids 10,00September 30Tourism OpenHouseAll locals get adiscount. Severalguided tours!19.00 hrs Drink and snackfrom 06.00 hrsAsk at the frontdesk for info aboutguided tours!October 7 and 8October 10 and11October 12**Price for campingis calculatedin accordance toservices providedSurvival morningfor kids ages 4-15Survival morningfor ages 15 and upSavonet historytours (hiking)10,00 09.00-13.00hrs10,00 09.00-1300hrsOnly entrance fee08.30 and11.00 hrsDrinkDrinkwith guideCamping facilities 17.50 Catering possible12

Christoffel cornerThere are some new faces walkingaround in the Christoffelpark.Two interns are visiting us fromthe Netherlands to assist us in theactivities and events organisationand the PR of the park. EvertPrins is visiting us from the HASDen Bosch en works side by sidewith Cyrill Kooistra, the activitiesand events coordinator in the park,focussing on the developmentof new activities and schedulesfor the coming periods. Besidesthis job Evert is working on aclient survey to get some insightin the motivations of our visitorsand their opinion of the servicesprovided. With just a couple ofNew interns in Christoffelparkweeks of joining the team Evertis already fully integrated in ourteam.Besides Evert, we have anintern from the HogeschoolINHOLLAND in Diemen. DinotraAndrade Costa will be assisting uswith the general PR and marketingwork for the park and CARMABIin general. She will be assistingfor example with the CARMABIClear Water Challenge. As part ofher internship she will be workingon a PR and marketing strategyfor the months that the Savonetrestauration will take place.We wish you both succes andwelcome to our team.“Evert working at the CARMABIoffices.”Opening Hours CHRISTOFFELPARKMonday- Saturday7.30 AM -16.00 PM (no admittance after 14.30 PM)Sunday6.00 AM - 15.00 PM (no admittance after 13.30 PM)Again, an important step forwardshas been taken in the processof implementing the Savonetmuseum. We now know prettywell what will be included in themuseum and how. In July, Felixthe Rooy and René Wissink of the“designers team” chose RanchoEl Sobrino at Westpunt as theirbase for this phase. It became thebrain centre for the analysis ofhistorical and natural data and thepreparation of the long term visionfor the Savonet museum. Mr.Stefan van Raay, director of thePallant House Gallery in England,assisted us with his pricelessexperience and suggestions. Hemade us realise how huge thescope will be and needs to be fora living and sustainable museumimplementation.Museum Savonet... an updateJust after they flew back to theirrespective homes we received aset of very flashy design maps.Clearly, René and Felix are onmental “steroids”. These mapsprovide also the information thatTechcon, the group responsiblefor the planning of the restorationprocess, needed inorder to finalize theirpreparatory work.So, we are on trackand the plans arehuge and fascinating!A lot of work isin order, though:video recordingsof oral history,reconstruction of anumber of skeletons,pictures and soundsof birds and bats, and13so forth need to be prepared in themonths to come. It will be fun!Felix and René will be backaround the end of November formore detailed work. We will keepyou posted on their (and our)progress.Birds-eye view of the complex

“Christoffel mountain with a green coat ofvegetation just after the first rains.”“This Lantana species gives bright flashes ofcolor everywhere in the park. Hummingbirdslove these flowers and visit them often.”“One of the several species of fungi thatappear in the park after rainshowers. Littleis known still about the existing species onthe island and their ecological relationships.A simple count on a moist day gave us about40 different variations in the Christoffelparkalone. An astounding number! Thisparticular one is very interesting becauseof the obvious bite marks of presumably aWhite-tailed deer.”Christoffel cornerRaindrops work their magicJust a few drops of rain can makea huge diffence in the overall appearanceof the Christoffelpark. Acouple of weeks ago the flora andfauna were still suffering fromthe drought. A large part of thetrees and plants lost their leavesand flowers and fruits were veryscarce.The rain showers that drenchedthe island in August andSeptember changed everythingwith the full charm that ournature has. Just a few drops of theprecious water make all plantsgo in overdrive. In a record timeall plants have leaves and startflowering and fruiting. All withthe main goal to reproduce as fastas possible before the water driesup, the ground dries in, and theheavenly circumstances cease toexist.Of course this dramatic display ofnature gives visitors spectacularviews of colorful flowers andmysterious appearances of fungiin all colors of the rainbow.Naturally the several fruits thatappear are delicious treats for allkinds of birds and other animals.It is a common sight now tosee Tropical Mockingbirds eatall they can get and groups ofBanaquits and other birds feastingon the Vitamin C rich lucious redshimaruku fruits (see page 6 for apicture).Cottontails and White-tailed deerenjoy the sometimes succulentfungi that grow in moist areas.During hikes you will often seefungi with clear bite marks ofthese species.Other animals that are re-apearingare several species of crabs whichare on the move in search ofpartners. During the dry periodsthese animals hide in holes thatthey dig themselves with their14legs and pincers in soft moistearth. These places stay cool andmoist even when the ground startsdrying up.With all the moisture, insectsthrive too. Much to the delightof insect eating animals like theBig Grey Flycather which givesspectacular air performanceswhile hunting and catching theflying insects. And now that thereis plenty of food, the Flycatchersstart showing off to each otherto attract females to mate. Ifyou observe closely you can seethe aerial acrobatics the malesperform in order to impress thefemales. Of course the matingseason is a very nice season toobserve nature, and if you watchcarefully you can see all kindsof fights, dances, flirtings andseductions taking place all overthe place, wether it is birds,insects or mammals.Of course the best time to seethese all happenings is in themornings when it is still cool. Ourdifferent hiking trails in the parkgive plenty of opportunities tospot flora and fauna and observethe interactions that take place. Aphoto camera and binoculars areno luxury. Be sure to catch thisshort luscious period, for the dryseason will be back way too soon.If you want to visit the park withthe assistance of a guide, pleasecall and make your reservations.Hiking or exploring the parksafari-style with one of our trainedguides makes the experience allthe more pleasant and interesting.Call (5999)864-0363 for yourreservations or email info@carmabi.org after you have takena look at the regular activitieswe organize in the park on www.carmabi.org.

Education/ CARMABI newsEDUCATIONNews in a flash!- Our educational semi-volunteers are on the road again to visit allthe primary schools on the islands to give them the opportunity toparticipate in our educational programs. Mrs. Retty Schoop en mrs.Sonaly Rijnschot are driving all over the island to handle everythingwith a personal touch. If all goes well, all schools will be registered bythe third week of September, when our programs start.- However, there is some sad news, since we lost three very good semivolunteersin the summer.• Mrs. Yvette Albertus had to stop guiding classes in the parkbeacause of medical reasons. We sincerely hope all goes wellwith her health and that she will be joining us back soon.• Mrs. Sharline Jamanika left our team to start an exciting newfull time job. We wish her all the best with the new challenge.• Mrs. Lara de Jonge, who was helping us with the developmentof educational materials also left us to start a new job. Wewould like to wish her all the best with her new challenges.“An example of the CARMABI badges forpersonnel.”CARMABI NEWS- A fair amount of our visitors have trouble finding us. But now it isvery easy to find the CARMABI offices. Since a couple of monthsthere are new signs on the main road that shows the way tohotels and other pints of interest. These signs, at three locations alongthe mainroads, together with the sign that we placed ourselves makesit a lot easier for visitors to track us down.- All the CARMABI and Christoffelpark Personnel wear identificationbadges as of this summer. The project started in the Christoffelpark. Itgives visitors the opportunity to clearly identify rangers and otheremployees of the park, to know their names and approach them withquestions or requests for information.The next step was the production of badges for the personnel of theCARMABI offices at Piscaderabay. This is especially handy whengiving presentations or talks, to make identification easier. The nextstep will be the introduction of badges for the board of CARMABI.- New products for sale at CARMABI and Christoffelpark. Our newcollection of T-shirts, shorts, duffelbags and caps are in and we havesome nice new additions to our regular collection. New are the t-shirtsfor kids with a beautiful portrait of a family of white-tailed deer,painted by Mr. Peter van der Wolf.Other new additions, are the strong canvas duffelbags and thecheerleader shorts. Stay tuned for our online catalog which canbe seen at www.carmabi.org. The products can be bought at theCARMABI offices and at the Christoffelpark. The catalogue will beonline as soon as possible.“The Duffelbag in the new collection.”“The new signs.”15

T , sBuy yours now!!!!New CARMABI outdoorapparelShortsCapsTopsBags