Bonaire Celebrates Landmark Anniversaries in 2009 with Festivities throughout the Year

The island of Bonaire has reason to celebrate this year when their national parks both reach landmark anniversaries: the Washington Slagbaai National Park attains its 40th year, while the Bonaire National Marine Park reaches its 30th.

A Bonaire press event was held today at the famed Rockefeller Center Club in mid-town Manhattan, to launch the programs surrounding the activities scheduled for celebrating the anniversaries of the two national parks.

Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, Director of Tourism, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, was the official spokesperson for the event, and was joined by Elsmarie Beukenboom, Director of STINAPA.

From now through November, there will be a multitude of educational activities and festivities in honor of Bonaire’s national parks and the island’s continued commitment to conservation.

Some of the planned events include Full-moon walks in Washington Slagbaai National Park which will follow the Kasikunda and Lagadishi walking trails; an Earth Day event whereby 40 trees will be planted at Pos Bronswinkel in the park, and a special benediction at the Visitor Center of Washington Slagbaai National Park with special invitees born on May 9, 1969 and May 9, 1979.

At the same time, nature NGOs from Bonaire will join visiting students to execute community projects, while the island’s BONAI student archeological group will work an excavation site in the park. Nature conservation documentaries will be shown throughout the year and there will be numerous beach and underwater cleanups.

Other activities will provide evenings to sample local cuisine at “Taste Of Bonaire” events; there will be a children’s poster drawing and poem competition, culminating in an exhibition at the island’s Kas di Arte, and various open houses and other fun events such as a dominoes competition will take place.