Environmental Challenges in Bonaire

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 Bonaire’s the major focus, tension between environmental protection and development exists. An examination of the environmental regulations in Bonaire within the confines of the public entity governance structure illuminates the complex political situation that faces the people of Bonaire. To garner a better perspective on the political and policy situation in Bonaire, students attend a lecture at the FuHiKuBo (Foundation for the History and Culture of Bonaire), meet Bonaireans working in various sectors, and could visit key historical sites and Kralendijk, the capitol city. Students also travel to the national park, as well as nearby Playa Chikitu. Most importantly, students visit some of Bonaire's biologically diverse sites, including dry forests, mangroves, and coral reefs to learn about Bonaire's specific efforts to protect these ecosystems while encouraging economic growth.

Students should expect to spend time in the water and should be comfortable in and around water. Thus, this course blends 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.

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