Saba, St. Eustatius and Bonaire take centre stage in new Caribbean nature documentary series

THE HAGUE – Saba, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire are at the heart of a new documentary series set to air on Dutch television this summer. In Nature in the Caribbean, journalist and presenter Natasja Gibbs travels to six Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The episodes dedicated to Saba, Sint-Eustatius and Bonaire show how residents, conservation organisations and researchers are working together to restore and protect the islands’ fragile ecosystems.

Saba, Sint-Eustatius and Bonaire are celebrated for their extraordinary biodiversity, from Bonaire’s world-famous coral reefs and flamingo-lined salt flats to the cloud forests of Saba and the volcanic landscapes of Sint-Eustatius. Yet all three islands face mounting pressure from climate change, rising sea temperatures and increasing human impact on their natural areas.

In the episodes, Gibbs visits nature reserves and restoration projects above and below the waterline. From Bonaire’s protected marine park and mangrove forests to the ancient coral walls of Sint-Eustatius and the rare elfin forest of Saba: everywhere she meets people committed to building a healthier ecosystem. The series also explores the relationship between nature conservation and the daily lives of the islands’ communities.

“On these islands you see very directly what climate change means for nature and people” says Gibbs. “But you also see a great deal of resilience and inspiring initiatives from residents who want to pass their islands on to future generations.”

The series makes clear that nature conservation on Saba, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire is about more than protecting plants and animals, it is about the future of the islands themselves. Healthy reefs protect coastlines from erosion, mangrove forests serve as nurseries for fish, and nature-based tourism is a vital economic pillar for all three islands.

Alongside Saba, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire, Nature in the Caribbean also covers Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. Each episode highlights the unique nature, culture and history of one island and shows how its residents are responding to the effects of climate change.

Nature in the Caribbean is a co-production by BNNVARA and MN Media and forms part of the multimedia project WOW! Caribbean Nature Uncovered. The series airs weekly from 7 July on NPO 2 and via NPO Start.