ACF Strengthens International Partnerships for Nature Conservation in The Netherlands

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – 10 NOVEMBER 2025 – Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF) recently completed a successful working visit to The Netherlands. A trip centered around the premiere screenings of the ‘Turning the Tide’ documentary but driven by a broader mission to strengthen collaboration, build meaningful connections, and expand ACF’s international network for nature conservation in Aruba. The visit was led by Chief Conservation Officer, Natasha Silva, and Business Development, Marketing & Communications Manager, Edeline Berg.

Purpose and Objectives of the Visit
While the ‘Turning the Tide’ documentary served as the vehicle that brought ACF to The Netherlands, the trip had a wider purpose. This trip allowed ACF to engage dialogue, build resources and collaboration with like-minded organizations in The Netherlands. With this trip, ACF aimed to:

• Highlight Aruba’s leadership in climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration.
• Engage potential European funders and partners to support program development and growth.
• Strengthen ties with Dutch conservation organizations, research institutions, and networks.

Raise public and media awareness of Aruba’s natural heritage through new storytelling opportunities.

Strategic visits and collaboration meetings
Alongside the screenings, ACF met with a range of established and new partners to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore opportunities for collaboration. The team visited Naturalis Biodiversity Center, where they met with Dr. Ing. Vincent J. Kalkman, Project Leader Biodiversity Hotspots, who previously worked in Aruba on invertebrate biodiversity research and who recently conducted an island wide bioblitz.

At Waardenburg Ecology, discussions focused on potential cooperation in marine conservation, Tern management, and environmental education and outreach, and ACF also connected with Vogelbescherming Nederland through Janske van de Crommenacker, Program Manager for Caribbean Netherlands and no stranger to Aruba, to align on ongoing bird conservation initiatives. The team also met with director John de Hoon, nature team leader Johan van der Haven, and biologist Marisa Mangal of Stichting Vogelpark Avifauna. Here, the team discussed the long-term reintroduction of the Yellow-shouldered Amazon in Aruba and potential upcoming Lora breeding program. And finally, visits to  and Diergaarde Blijdorp/Rotterdam Zoo provided opportunities to share experiences on coral restoration, coral rescue, and offshore coral breeding programs, as part of ongoing and emerging Dutch Caribbean marine conservation programs.

“Every meeting was a reminder that conservation thrives through connection,” said ACF’s Chief Conservation Officer, Natasha Silva. “These partnerships help us share knowledge, grow capacity, and ultimately strengthen the bridge between science, community, and conservation across the Kingdom.”

‘Turning the Tide’ documentary screenings

The visit was anchored by two premiere screenings of ‘Turning the Tide’, a first-of-its-kind nature restoration documentary for Aruba on corals and mangroves, funded by the EU-RESEMBID Programme and produced in collaboration with Wageningen University & Research, ScubbleBubbles Foundation, and the University of Aruba. The first screening took place at Filmhuis Den Haag and was made possible through the generous support of the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) with a second screening followed at Visum Mundi in Wageningen and made possible by Wageningen University & Research.

ACF’s visit to The Netherlands marks an important step in expanding the independent foundation’s international partnerships and positioning Aruba as a proactive voice in nature conservation. Together with its partners, ACF will continue to strengthen its conservation work both on land and at sea to protect, preserve, and restore the place we call home.