Aruba now has its own nature restoration documentary

Funded by the EU’s RESEMBID Program and executed by partners Aruba Conservation Foundation, University of Aruba, ScubbleBubbles Foundation and Wageningen University & Research.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – 31 JANUARY 2025 – Aruba Conservation Foundation , in collaboration with its local partners University of Aruba, ScubbleBubbles Foundation,—along with its international partner, Wageningen University & Research, is proud to launch the Turning the Tide documentary in Aruba. Filmed over a period of 16 months, this documentary captures the restoration of mangroves and corals in Aruba as part of a pilot project executed with local, regional, and international experts. It showcases the beauty of Aruba’s nature while highlighting the complexity of restoration work. The documentary will be available for public viewing from January 31 to February 14, 2025, at The Movies at Gloria, Renaissance, and Principal.

The documentary is part of the project’s objective to raise awareness and educate both young students and adults, helping locals and visitors to Aruba understand the vital role nature plays in human well-being and why it is crucial to protect, preserve, and restore it.

The evening saw a full auditorium with 274 attendees, including His Excellency Interim Governor Vrolijk, Her Excellency Prime Minister Evelyna Wever-Croes, and His Excellency Minister Ursell Arends. Also in attendance were Andrea Floudiotis and Karen Mahy of the EU’s RESEMBID Program, as well as Rene Henkens and Ronald Osinga of Wageningen University & Research, alongside many volunteers, partners, and other invitees.

The Turning the Tide pilot project began in January 2023 and is set to be completed by the end of February 2025. Its main objective is the hands-on rehabilitation of Aruba’s interconnected coral reefs and mangroves. Since the project’s inception, the team has successfully dug three silt traps to reduce sedimentation at Rooi Taki, Rooi Bringamosa, and Rooi Lamunchi. Currently, restoration work continues at Spaans Lagoen, where efforts are focused on improving water flow to the surrounding mangroves.

Additionally, as part of the project, the team has installed 400 MARRS (Mars Assisted Reef Restoration Systems) and 13 MOSES (Modular Sealife Systems) in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at Sero Colorado, Mangel Halto, and Oranjestad.

This entire project, including the production of the documentary, was funded by the European Union’s RESEMBID Program. The restoration efforts showcased in Turning the Tide offer a unique opportunity for audiences to witness the dedication and impact of this most important conservation work.

The Aruba Conservation Foundation, together with ScubbleBubbles Foundation, the University of Aruba, and Wageningen University & Research, extends its heartfelt gratitude to all partners who made this project possible. A special thank you also goes out to the more than 210 volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to restoring nature in Aruba through this project.

A special thank you also goes to the dedicated team who worked tirelessly to bring this story of passion, unity, and restoration to life through this documentary. The production was carried out by Wings Global Media, with Kanter Constandse as producer and editor, Edeline Berg as executive producer, and Ronaldinho Zara as co-producer and graphic designer—both representing the Aruba Conservation Foundation. The documentary’s music was composed by Martin Buitenweg, with narration by Rosabelle Illes.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the entire cast, who have passionately shared the story of restoration in the documentary. Featuring Natasha Silva (ACF), Rene Henkens (WUR), Sietske van der Wal, Giancarlo Nunes, and Shane Thielman (ACF), Nichole Danser (ScubbleBubbles Foundation), and Tobia de Scisciolo (University of Aruba).

While the project may be coming to an end, the restoration efforts, surveying, and monitoring will continue.

The Aruban community is warmly invited to watch the documentary, which is available at The Movies at Gloria, Renaissance, and Principal until February 14, 2024. To book a ticket, visit www.themoviesaruba.com.

For more information, please email info@acf.aw.