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What are we protecting?
Worldwide our environment is changing and in danger.
Climate change, habitat destruction and disappearance,
and over-fishing affect not only animal and plant species,
but humans as well.
St. Eustatius has always been known as a sleepy little
island, yet change has been occurring. There are increases
in population, in construction of residences and businesses,
and in medical school enrollment. The Statia oil terminal
is expanding its facilities. All of these changes present
a challenge to the natural resources of the island.
Support
nature conservation on Statia – join now!
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The World Conservation Union (IUCN), in its recently released 2007 Red List
of Threatened Species™, reports that over 44,000
species of animals and plants are threatened. Many of
those species are endemic or native to Statia. They
include:
Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles
16 species of orchids
Lesser Antillean iguana
Red Bellied Racer snake
Spotted Eagle Ray
Manta Ray
Statia Morning Glory vine
Without monitoring and protection by the National
Parks, these species will rapidly decline.
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