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Saba conservation foundation
The Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF) is a non-governmental organization that is concerned with the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the small Caribbean island of Saba, which is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Saba is part of the inner arc of the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles.
Contents
- Saba conservation foundation
- Saba National Marine Park
- Saba Bank National Park
- Saba Walking Trail Network
- Land based nature reserves
- References
The SCF was founded in 1987. Its mission is "to commit to the preservation and enhancement of the marine and terrestrial environment on Saba through education, scientific research, monitoring and enforcement." The SCF has seven employees, and a board with ten members. The Foundation forms part of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance.
SCF headquarters is at Fort Bay (Saba's only harbor), and another SCF office is at the Saba Trail and Information Centre, in the town of Windwardside.
Saba National Marine Park
Completely surrounding the island of Saba is a National Marine Park, which extends from the high-water mark to 60 m (200 ft) depth. The SCF manages the marine park and also two hyperbaric facilities for divers.
Saba Bank National Park
In 2010, the very large submerged atoll known as the Saba Bank, which lies southwest of the island of Saba, was designated as a Netherlands National Park. This atoll is the flat top of a seamount. The Saba Bank park is 2,679 km2 in size. [1]
Saba Walking Trail Network
The SCF is the management agency for the numerous hiking trails, which are known as the Saba Trail Network. SCF also maintain and staff the Saba Trail and Information Centre, in Windwardside.
Land-based nature reserves
Legislation to support the official status of the 45 ha "Saba National Land Park" was in process in 2012. An "Elfin Forest Reserve" near the top of Mount Scenery (the highest point on the island) is also a possibility.