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Published On: Wed, Feb 27th, 2019

Emilio Wilson Estate to be the first protected park area

PHILIPSBURG — Emilio Wilson Park is to be the first terrestrial land based protected area on St. Maarten. The creation of a nature park can only have a positive impact on the flora and fauna, and also have a positive impact on the tourism product, said Minister responsible for Public Works (VROMI) Miklos Giterson at the Council of Ministers press conference on Wednesday morning.

He explained that while some areas have been deemed important on the island for conservation it is not feasible establish all the areas that is identified at present, he said. “It should be no surprise that Sentry Hill and the Emilio Wilson Estate has been identified as the first location to be the first terrestrial on St. Maarten,” said Giterson.

He pointed out that his Ministry is at the beginning stages of the project and there is still a lot to be strategically planned before the execution which includes the Nature Park and National Decree. He said that an agreement between the Nature Foundation and other relevant stakeholders needs to be finalized and a park management plan must be worked out so that the park can be self-sustainable.