EPIC BestLife2030 Project

SINT MAARTEN (COLE BAY) - A new project will help to restore and protect Sint Maarten’s Brown Pelicans and Least Terns by monitoring their populations and restoring their habitats. The initiative “Least Tern and Caribbean Brown Pelican Species and Habitat-based Biodiversity Restoration on Sint Maarten” led by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Foundation, includes a variety of actions. 

Least Terns are a small seabird species that nests in colonies in flat, open areas. This species has been unsuccessful in finding a safe place to nest on the island, with their eggs or chicks being eaten by introduced animals like dogs or their nest sites flooding during storms. As a result, the birds have tried to nest along the airport runway, but the nests must removed to reduce air traffic hazards.  To address this issue, a floating nest platform in Simpson Bay Lagoon will be installed to offer a safer location to raise chicks. Additionally, mangroves will be planted in the lagoon to help restore overall lagoon health. 

Brown Pelicans are the national bird of Sint Maarten. Their current colony nests at Fort Amsterdam, which is dominated by introduced species. The project aims to restore biodiversity at this site by removing invasive plants and planting native species of trees and bushes. 

The nests of both species will be regularly monitored to assess the impact of activities. Restoration vegetation at Fort Amsterdam and Simpson Bay Lagoon will also be regularly monitored and maintained.

As with most EPIC projects, education is a key component and the organization has free presentations available for schools, civic and business groups, and the general public. 

The project is run by project coordinator Colby Poerio and project assistant Max Ratusinski. Colby is a conservation biologist from the United States with experience in habitat restoration and species protection around the world. She is passionate about restoration and working with communities to protect local environments. Max is a marine biologist from Germany with extensive experience working across the tropics. Driven by his passion for conservation, he joined the project to help protect and preserve the unique ecosystems found on Sint Maarten. 

This 18-month project is made possible with funding from the European Union’s BESTLIFE2030 Program, which works to protect the biodiversity of Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories through small-scale initiatives. Partners include Princess Juliana International Airport and the Nature Foundation of Sint Maarten with consultation from VROMI.

For contact regarding presentations or educational outreach activities, please contact project coordinator Colby Poerio at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Volunteers collecting trash at Fort Amsterdam at the project’s cleanup launch event. Photo by Lario Duzanson.

EPIC staff Max Ratusinski and Delroy De Lain along with SXM DOET partners Caroline van Oost and Breanna Barrie pictured with the trash and invasive grass collected during the Fort Amsterdam cleanup event.