The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) recently organized an Education Standards and Strategy Workshop, bringing together esteemed park and conservation authorities from the Dutch Caribbean region. The workshop focused on developing educational standards and devising effective educational strategies for park organizations, Aruba National Park Foundation, Saba Conservation Foundation, Nature Foundation St. Maarten, and St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation. The event took place from the 4^th to the 6^th of July and proved to be a resounding success, with valuable insights gained and actionable outcomes achieved.

The workshop aimed to establish a unified framework for educational standards across the participating parks, to ensure consistent and high-quality educational experiences. By aligning their educational efforts, the park organizations will foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the unique natural biodiversity found within their respective islands.

During the workshop, park, and conservation representatives engaged in robust discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions to develop strategies that will enhance educational initiatives within their organizations. The attendees explored various approaches, leveraging their collective expertise to create impactful educational programs that inspire environmental stewardship, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable practices.

One of the significant outcomes of the workshop was the identification and understanding of the gaps existing within the participating organizations ‘ educational offerings. By acknowledging these gaps, the organizations can collaboratively address and bridge them with direct solutions, ensuring a more comprehensive nature education plan.

The workshop also facilitated fruitful networking and collaboration opportunities among the organizations. By sharing best practices and experiences, the attendees discovered new avenues for cooperation, such as joint educational projects and resource sharing. Strengthening these relationships will promote synergy and enable the organizations to work collectively towards their shared goals of environmental conservation and education.

The DCNA, as the organizing body, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the Education Standards and Strategy Workshop. The alliance recognizes the pivotal role education plays in fostering a deep connection between people and nature, and remains committed to supporting and facilitating further collaboration among the Dutch Caribbean park organizations.

The DCNA would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Saba Tourism Bureau for the support with the Glenn Holm Conference Room and the generous support provided by the funder, World Wide Fund for Nature the Netherlands (WWF-NL), for their invaluable contributions to the success of the Education Standards and Strategy Workshop. The organization greatly appreciates their partnership, expertise, and continued support in advancing our shared mission of protecting the nature of the Dutch Caribbean.

DCNA