Aruba National Park shifts focus to biodiversity conservation
The Aruba National Park Foundation has rebranded itself as the Aruba Conservation Foundation, shifting its priority from tourism to protection of the island’s diverse biodiversity and community involvement. The new direction places a significant emphasis on local community participation, conservation, and promotes environmental consciousness among local residents.
The bulk of Aruba’s national income – about three-quarters – comes from tourism. However, the tourism industry threatens the island’s habitats, including caves, wetlands, mangroves, and dunes. Despite protective efforts by local organizations, environmental destruction continues, making sustainable tourism necessary for Aruba’s unique biodiversity’s preservation.
Now labelled the Aruba Conservation Foundation, the organization has taken a greater role in conservation, moving beyond being just a park administrative body. Priorities include expanding protected areas, preserving local ecosystems, promoting environmental education, advocating robust environmental policies, and initiating fundraising campaigns to support these activities.
Aruba’s shift towards focused biodiversity preservation
The foundation adopts the perspective that every contribution can make a significant difference in protecting Aruba’s habitats.
A critical aspect of the rebranding is reconnecting local residents to their natural environment. The revised logo combines symbols of waves, cacti, and humans in vibrant colors, a meaningful connection between humans and nature. The foundation’s rebranding also encapsulates updated mission and vision statements, emphasizing establishing a link between the island’s inhabitants and their unique ecosystem.
Illustrations featuring endangered species indigenous to Aruba, like the Aruban whiptail lizard, Aruba rattlesnake, Aruban brown-throated parakeet, and the Shoco or Aruban burrowing owl, are now part of the rebranding. This element captures not just the aesthetics but narrates a compelling story for conservation, urging empathy and need for protection.
With this rebranding, the Aruba Conservation Foundation hopes to encourage local residents to engage in activities geared towards the preservation of Aruba’s ecosystems. They believe that every individual effort can significantly contribute to the conservation of the island’s biodiversity. The ultimate goal is for locals to feel a sense of responsibility for their home, thereby leading to a brighter and more sustainable future for Aruba.
