Staff

Kate Walker

Welsh-born Kate Walker has spent most of her adult life in the tropics. After working in sea conservation in the UK, Europe and Sri Lanka with turtles, whales and dolphins, Kate moved to the Republic of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
“I co-founded the Maldivan Manta Ray Research Project based on the behavior, ecology, biology and life history strategies of manta rays. The Maldives are ‘manta ray central’. There are thousands there. I also was involved in coral restoration and whale shark studies.”
Kate later migrated to the Caribbean and completed her thesis on the sea turtles of Grenada. That resulted in a masters degree from the University of Wales-Bangor. She took a personal sabbatical afterwards, learning the intricacies of sailing yachts and spent the next year completing her thesis and sailing the Windward Islands.
In May 2010, winds blew her to the Dutch island of Sint Eustatius where she became director of the Sint Eustatius National Parks, STENAPA.
“My interest is conservation management above and below the sea. The work here on Statia offers me both. We have a great marine park and our national land parks of Boven and the Quill offer wonderful nature trails. The water is fantastic. There’s a good diversity of life on land. I love the Caribbean."[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) Tutti is now office manager. [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 Marine Park Assistance, 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), has completed her Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses and is now studying for her Rescue Dive certification. Since March 2009, Jessica has taken on the duties of Turtle Programme Coordinator in addition to becoming Assistant for the Marine Park. Jessica was promoted to Marine Park Manager on 1st April 2010.[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 Madden

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 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 / Boven 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 both PADI Advanced Diver and Rescue 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]