Saba Conservation Foundation

A map showing Saba on the left and a number of the other Leeward Islands
A satellite view of Saba includes the surrounding sea area, some of which is the Marine Park. The harbor at Fort Bay is visible at the lower left; Flat Point (where the airport is situated) is visible at the upper right.
Within the Saba Marine Park: divers and a southern stingray

The Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF) is a non-governmental organization that is concerned with the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the small Caribbean island of Saba, which is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.[1] Saba is part of the inner arc of the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles.

The SCF was founded in 1987. Its mission is "to commit to the preservation and enhancement of the marine and terrestrial environment on Saba through education, scientific research, monitoring and enforcement." The SCF has seven employees, and a board with ten members. The Foundation forms part of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance.[1]

SCF headquarters is at Fort Bay (Saba's only harbor), and another SCF office is at the Saba Trail and Information Centre, in the town of Windwardside.[1]

Managed areas

Marine areas

Saba National Marine Park

Completely surrounding the island of Saba is a National Marine Park, which extends from the high-water mark to 60 m (200 ft) depth. The SCF manages the marine park and also two hyperbaric facilities for divers.[1]

Saba Bank National Park

Main article: Saba Bank

In 2010, the very large submerged atoll known as the Saba Bank, which lies southwest of the island of Saba, was designated as a Netherlands National Park. This atoll is the flat top of a seamount. The Saba Bank park is 2,679 km2 in size.

On land

Saba Walking Trail Network

The SCF is the management agency for the numerous hiking trails, which are known as the Saba Trail Network. SCF also maintain and staff the Saba Trail and Information Centre, in Windwardside.

Land-based nature reserves

Legislation to support the official status of the 45 ha "Saba National Land Park" was in process in 2012.[1] An "Elfin Forest Reserve" near the top of Mount Scenery (the highest point on the island) is also a possibility.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Saba Conservation Foundation Official site. Retrieved March 2012.
  2. ↑ Saba Tourist Bureau Official site. Retrieved Mar 2012.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Saba#b.
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