Environmental Challenges in Bonaire

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The course focuses on environmental issues in Bonaire. Located in the southern Caribbean, Bonaire has a lengthy history of colonization. The Spanish, French, English, Americans, and Dutch among others have held territory at one time in the Caribbean region. Most of these islands are now independent nations. That is not true for Bonaire. Today, Bonaire remains a "public entity" of the Netherlands. As a public entity, the Island Council governs some policy areas, while the Dutch governor on the island is responsible for other aspects of daily life. Bonaire also is unique in that the entire island is surrounded by a national marine park, that comprises more than 6000 acres, Moreover, 17% of the terrestrial land is a park, Washington Slagbaai National Park. While environmental tourism is the major focus of Bonaire, there is tension between environmental protection and development. An examination of the environmental regulations in Bonaire within the confines of the public entity governance structure will illuminate the complex political situation that faces the people of Bonaire. In order to garner a better perspective on the political and policy situation in Bonaire, students will attend a lecture at the FuHiKuBo, meet Bonaireans working in various sectors, and have the opportunity to visit key historical sites and Kralendijk, the capitol city. Also, students will travel to the national park as well as nearby Playa Chiktu. Most importantly, students will visit some of Bonaire's biologically diverse sites including dry forests, mangroves, and coral reefs and learn about Bonaire's specific efforts to protect these ecosystems while also encouraging economic growth. Students should expect to spend time in the water and should be comfortable in and around water. Thus, this course will blend an examination of the unique politics of the island in the classroom with a close review of Bonaire' s environmental policies in practice throughout the island's various ecosystems.