Staff

Nicole Esteban

Nicole Esteban came to work as Manager of STENAPA in May 2003. Nicole has an MSc in Tropical Coastal Management and BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology. Having worked in various countries worldwide, Nicole has brought a range of international park experience, having worked as a researcher at Ras Mohammed National Marine Park in Egypt, and, more close at hand, in Jamaica, Turks and Caicos and Belize to co-write guidelines for Caribbean Marine Parks to enhance effectiveness by working closely with local communities.
Nicole arrived to manage STENAPA at a time of financial uncertainty, and was forced to close the park doors in October 2003 when ongoing financial subsidy grants came to an end. Happily, STENAPA was able to fundraise substantially and work closely with the Island Government to re-open shortly after. Since 2003, Nicole’s main objectives have been for STENAPA to gain long-term financial security, to professionalise with a centralised work place and well-trained staff, and enhance public awareness through media and stakeholder meetings.
Since working for STENAPA, Nicole has collaborated closely with other Marine and National Parks of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, and was elected the first Chair of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) when it was established in 2005. Nicole has updated her first aid certification, participated in oil spill clean-up training (HAZWOPER)and also became a ‘Buitengewoon Agent van Politie’ (special agent of police) with police powers to enforce all environmental legislation on St Eustatius. [go up]

Lee Munson

Lee is originally from Exeter, UK and spent his teenage years in Spain. In 2001, he graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology, specializing in Coastal Ecology. With a passion for conserving the marine environment and an interest in protected area management, Lee has since travelled, volunteered and worked around the globe. Lee gained his dive instructor certification in 2004.
In April 2004, Lee joined Global Vision International working on the Meso-American Barrier Reef System (MBRS) monitoring program in Mahahual, Mexico. His role was diverse including; dive (PADI) and reef survey, tuition for volunteers, boat handling, equipment maintenance, data and base management.
In 2005, Lee started his own company in Sweden, offering dive and marine ecological services on a small scale. He was contracted in by the Naturhistoriska riksmuseet in Stockholm in order to survey, collect and identify the marine fish of Los Cobanos, El Salvador. This, the first scientific marine survey of the area was written up as a report (in publication) on the biodiversity present with recommendations for management that will assist in the development of a marine reserve. This work highlighted the importance of involving NGOs, dive centres, fishermen, local communities, universities, local government and other stakeholders in conservation efforts.
From 2006-2007, Lee travelled in Africa and worked at two Mozambican Eco-Lodges. His responsibilities as dive manager and marine biologist at Guludo Beach lodge were varied allowing him to gain extensive experience in dive centre management including the servicing and maintenance of all the equipment (compressor, boats, SCUBA equipment), refining the local dive team (protocols) and dive safety. Whilst diving at the Lodge, he managed to gather valuable data (coral health, indicator specie abundance, turtle and shark population data and abiotics). The most exciting monitoring program was the humpback whale project. With funding from Eco tourism, the team was able to record behaviour and photo identify passing whales for the South African Population Database, as well as raise public awareness and aid conservation. [go up]

Violet (Tutti) Busby

Violet came to work for STENAPA as Office Administrator in April 2005. Violet has MAVO (Curacao/St Eustatius) and HAVO (St Maarten) diplomas. With a desire to remain in her native St Eustatius, Violet started working for the Seven Seas steamship agency in May 1994, where she worked her way up from Boarding Agent (of tankers), to Supervisor of five employees. Violet left Seven Seas in November 2004 to set up her own business.
Happily for STENAPA, Violet became the first full-time Office Administrator and arrived at a time of complete change. Violet has been responsible for setting up various administration systems, organising the move into the new reception area when the new office building was completed in 2006, and ensures that book-keeping is kept up to date. Violet is the first person that visitors meet, and is available to give park information to locals and visitors alike.
Since working with STENAPA, Violet has updated her first aid certification, and trained in Prince 2 project management, Quickbooks, Powerpoint and Oil Spill clean-up training (HAZWOPER) [go up]

Jessica Berkel

Born on Curaçao and raised on St Maarten, Jessica moved to the Netherlands for her studies. Jessica has a diploma in Graphic Design (Netherlands) and worked as a researcher in Holland before returning to her native islands in 1996. Whilst raising a family in Statia, Jessica changed direction and trained as an Air Traffic Advisory Officer at the local airport, as well as working as a freelance graphic designer.
Jessica became a Board member in April 2000 holding the often disliked position of Secretary of the Board until January 2007 when she resigned after being transferred to STENAPA as a member of staff. Her duties now include Communication, Public relations, Reception, general database administration and office administration besides hosting the monthly ‘Nature on Statia’ radio show (since early 2005). Since becoming a staff member Jessica has successfully completed the Emergency First Responder course, Oil Spill clean-up training (HAZWOPER) and now hopes to get her PADI Open Water dive certification.[go up]

Walter (Gadjet) Blair

Walter came to work for the Marine Park as the sole Ranger in November 2002. Walter has a diploma from the St Eustatius Technical School. He has wide experience of seamanship in St Eustatius, having worked as a dive leader (PADI Rescue Diver) for a local dive centre, and as a boat captain for one of the line boats for Statia Terminal. Walter also has a UK sea rescue license as part of his training with the St Eustatius Sea Rescue Foundation.
As a Ranger for the Marine Park, Walter has numerous duties, including patrols and enforcement, supervision of visiting live-aboard boats, collection of yacht fees, checking of diver fees, installation and maintenance of all moorings (dive, snorkel, reserve markers, yacht), boat maintenance, assistance for research and monitoring dives, and assistance with Snorkel and Junior Ranger clubs.
Since working for STENAPA, Walter has updated his first aid certification, and become a ‘Buitengewoon Agent van Politie’ (special agent of police) with police powers to enforce all environmental legislation on St Eustatius. [go up]

Nadio Spanner

Nadio came to work for the Marine Park as the second Ranger in April 2005. Nadio has a BVO (St Eustatius) and a diploma from the Openbare Avondleergangen (Aruba) in motor mechanics. Nadio had previous experience of fishing in St Eustatius, coming from a family of fishermen.
As a Ranger for the Marine Park, Nadio has numerous duties, including patrols and enforcement, supervision of visiting live-aboard boats, collection of yacht fees, checking of diver fees, installation and maintenance of all moorings (dive, snorkel, reserve markers, yacht), boat and truck maintenance, assistance for research and monitoring dives, and assistance with Snorkel and Junior Ranger clubs. Nadio also works on the Quill National Park when required, leading trail maintenance crews and giving guided hikes.
Since working for STENAPA, Nadio improved his swimming skills, gained dive certifications in PADI ‘Open Water’, ‘Advanced’ and ‘Rescue’ diver, as well as first aid certification and oil spill clean-up training (HAZWOPER).. Nadio attended a week long course in trail maintenance and has also become a ‘Buitengewoon Agent van Politie’ (special agent of police) with police powers to enforce all environmental legislation on St Eustatius. He is a certified tour guide with the World Federation of Tour Guides Association and a member of the board of the Statia Tour Guides Association. [go up]

Hannah Leslie

Hannah came to work as full-time Ranger in February 2007, after a year of volunteering for STENAPA. Born in the UK, she came to the island from Amsterdam with her Statia-born husband in 2006, having worked for humanitarian NGOs Amnesty International and Child Helpline International. Hannah is doing a part-time bachelor’s degree in International Studies with the Open University.
As National Park Ranger, Hannah is responsible for maintaining the network of trails in the Quill National Park, assisted by volunteers and an intern. Hannah gives guided hikes to tourists and locals, monitors local flora and fauna, coordinates educational programmes for Snorkel Club and Junior Ranger Club, and assists in the Marine Park with survey dives, coral monitoring and line cleaning. She also assists her colleague Carlton at the Botanical Garden.
Since working for STENAPA, Hannah has gained a PADI Advanced Diver certification, Emergency First Responder certification, and Oil Spill clean-up training (HAZWOPER). She is a certified tour guide with the World Federation of Tour Guides Association and a member of the board of the Statia Tour Guides Association.[go up]

Carlton van Putten

Carlton came to work as part-time Ranger for the Miriam Schmidt Botanical Garden in January 2006. Carlton has a Certificate in Horticulture (Netherlands) and has wide experience of gardening in St Eustatius.
As Ranger for the Botanical Garden, Carlton’s principal responsibility is upkeep and maintenance of the Phase 1 gardens, including weeding, planting and labelling plants. Carlton also works as a Guide for visitors to the Garden and will be starting to work on Phase 2 development in 2007. Carlton also assists on giving guided hikes to tourists in National Park, and helps with the Junior Ranger club.
Since working for STENAPA, Carlton has gained a PADI first aid certification and oil spill clean-up training (HAZWOPER). He is a certified tour guide with the World Federation of Tour Guides Association and a member of the board of the Statia Tour Guides Association. Carlton has also become a specialist at training the groups of interns and volunteers in gardening skills and often cooks them goat curry as a reward. Carlton van Putten became a full time ranger in January 2007. [go up]