Water management plan for Washington Slagbaai National Park: towards water management for reforestation and conservation

The Washington Slagbaai National Park is a very important nature reserve for the island of Bonaire, covering around 20% of its territory, and is a sanctuary for many protected species. However, it is threatened by the presence of certain animals that are gradually destroying the park's flora, reducing in particular the soil's capacity to retain rainwater, which flows directly into brackish lakes and the ocean.
Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA) is working to gradually restore the native flora, but to do this effectively it is essential to improve rainwater capture and storage. However, there is currently no precise mapping of water flows in the park, which is essential for developing a comprehensive approach to sustainable management of the coastline and freshwater resources. Three improvement projects have been initiated by STINAPA to optimize park management: flora restoration through the elimination of certain animal species; freshwater retention; and road network modernization. But for each of these initiatives, the lack of data on water flows is a major hindrance, since it is essential to determine the optimum areas for water storage.
The main objective of this GO facility is to form a water management plan to identify the best locations for freshwater storage and retention; adapt the drainage network to new road infrastructure; reduce soil erosion and limit sediment transport to coastal areas; and improve the park's resilience to climate change by putting in place appropriate strategies to mitigate risks such as prolonged periods of drought or extreme rainfall. The plan should therefore increase local knowledge and skills in terms of water management, which will contribute directly to achieving the strategic objectives of the Caribbean Netherlands Environmental and Natural Policy Plan 2020-2030.