We plant trees to restore our tropical dry forests and mangroves, using the guiding principles of ‘Regenerative Forest Landscape Restoration’ and ‘Mangrove Restoration’ principles.

Tropical dry forest

The vegetation of Aruba has changed over the years.

Research has shown that in the past Aruba was probably covered by a dry tropical forest. Thousand years of human presence have had a large impact on the ecosystem causing large scale deforestation and soil erosion. Only fragments of different dry forest types are still present.

Fossil pollen from Pal’i sia cora or Gumbo Limbo tree (Lat: Bursera simaruba) were abundant in older, deeper sediments of the Spaans Lagoen indicating that the tree was a common species of the vegetation surrounding the lagoon. At present only a few trees are left to be admired.

At Boca Prins pollen of the Mangel tan (Lat: Rhizophora mangle) were found, indicating it must have been a mangrove area. Now only on the south side of the island mangroves are found. 

Regenerative Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR)

FLR is more than just planting trees. It is restoring a whole landscape and regaining its ecological functionalities across deforested or degraded forest landscapes.

FLR is not an end in itself, but a means of regaining, improving, and maintaining vital ecological and social functions, in the long-term leading to more resilient and sustainable landscapes. It aims to enhance species and genetic diversity.

Mangrove areas, along with the animal species they shelter, represent significant sources of biodiversity and provide valuable ecosystem services. 

They are used by mammals, reptiles and migratory birds as feeding and breeding grounds, and provide crucial habitats for fish and crustacean species.

The roots protect shorelines from the erosive impacts of ocean waves and storms. Additionally, they absorb floodwaters and slow down the erosion power of waves. 

They sequester more carbon than rainforests and thus play a very important role in climate change mitigation, in addition to physically protecting coastlines from the projected sea-level rise caused by climate change.

In collaboration with the University of Aruba we conduct research, monitor soil quality and
tree health.
An app is being developed to register biodiversity.

Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)

FPNA is a professional NGO dedicated to conservation and the management of 16 terrestrial nature reserves and 4 marine protected areas. FPNA’s work includes various flora and fauna conservation programs, restoring natural habitats and creating awareness on biodiversity, healthy and resilient ecosystems, and sustainable behaviors. 

The University of Aruba (UA) has engaged to support reforestation in Aruba as part of the sustainability agenda of the institute. Students and staff are involved in the development of monitoring of soil quality and tree health as well as in the development of a biodiversity app. This app will be used to locate and monitor protected trees.

By planting native trees and plants on the university grounds, the UA demonstrates its engagement for a green and sustainable Aruba. 

MSKSAV has an exemplary role, focus and ambition to integrate sustainability in its operational processes by assigning large portions of its terrains to reforestation with native heat and drought resistant trees and plants. MSKSAV contributes directly to enlarging the biodiversity, including the protection of several endemic and threatened with extinction local burrowing owls that have their nests on the premises.

Stimaruba is one of the oldest NGO’s on Aruba dedicated to nature preservation and protection, with a strong focus on local flora and education. Stimaruba has mapped flora all over the island and organized hundreds of nature tours to enlarge the knowledge on the importance of local and endangered plants and trees.

Restore Aruba’s Natural Beauty started with collecting garbage and cleaning nature areas all over the island. After the job was done they always planted some trees to give that piece back to nature. In October we joined forces and partnered up to plant trees on a larger scale.

ABC advises us on which trees benefit the local bird population best.

ABC advises us on which trees benefit the local bird population best.

Directie Natuur en Milieu (DNM)

Large, but slow-growing evergreen tree that reaches an average height of 18
m. Belongs to family Sapindaceae. Established plants are very drought tolerant
and can withstand the strongest salt-laden winds. The sweet edible fruits of
about three to four cm in diameter, loved by the locals, are also very popular
with parakeets and parrots. It takes seedlings 7-10 years to start producing

fruit. Common name: Mamoncillo.

The flowers are pleasantly scented and attract bees, which take care of the

polonization.

Occurs in S. America. Found as well in Aruba since it was cultivated.
Because of its leathery skin, the fruit remains fresh for a long time and ships
well, so it is also sometimes found in ethnic markets in other countries.

A tree that grows to an average of 10 m. From the Bignoniaceae family. Flowers in the
right conditions after a long period of drought and after the second rainfall. In the dry
period it first loses all leaves, then the tree sprouts in a yellow sea of flowers.
Flowering lasts only a day, then the tree drops all its flowers.

The wood of the kibrahacha (meaning "break the ax") is known for its hard- and

heaviness, which makes it very durable.

The tree can be found in S. America and the Carribean and is the national tree of

Venezuela.

Small tree from the Fabaceae family. Native to Aruba and Curaçao. A very beautiful and elegant ornamental tree with golden-yellow flowers. In appearance it has many characteristics similar to the Peltophorum africanum variety that grows in Africa and the bigger Peltophorum pterocarpum variety that grows in Asia, where it has its common name: copperpod. 

An important tree for bees, as it is a good source of nectar and pollen.

Propagation via seed. Hard seed coat that may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination.

Small spiny tree with an average height of 8 m from the Fabaceae family. Its been harvested from the wild for local customs; the fruits are edible, the tree is a source of wood and it has medicinal properties.

Grows in S. America and the Dutch Antilles. Very rare on Aruba where it can only be found in ‘Rooi Taki’.

Small, relatively slow-growing native tree with brown crescent-shaped seeds. Usually grows up to 10 metres tall, but can be much taller. The trunk often consists of several branches that grow at different angles. 

The Watapana is Aruba’s natural compass, because the tree’s crown always grows in a southwestern direction with the wind. This produces picturesque specimens with flattened crowns and leaning trunks in exposed areas. The Watapana does not grow on the beach, but is sometimes confused with the Fofoti that does grow on the beach. 

The tree is quite common in Aruba compared to other parts of the world. It has been tried to plant the tree in other countries, but this was not very successful. The Watapana seems to feel most at home in Aruba. 

The flowers are very attractive to bees, the soil that forms under the branches of the tree is very fertile, and the tree has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, which form nodules on the roots and bind atmospheric nitrogen. 

Small evergreen tree with an average height of 5m. From the Boraginaceae family. 

The plant can flower and produce fruit nearly all year round. Pollinated by bees. The edible fruit is saffron to orange coloured about the size of a pea. It’s pulpy, sweet and succulent. The tree is occasionally harvested from the wild for local uses such as food. 

Spreads throughout the Caribbean and southeastern N. America.