The spotted woodslave is one of the animals found only on St. Martin.
MARIGOT--The Les Fruits de Mer Association welcomes everyone to the sixth annual Endemic Animal Festival this Sunday, April 28 from 9:00am to noon. The free festival will be held at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. The event celebrates the animals that live only on St. Martin, with special exhibits and fun activities.
“Our theme this year is Survivors,” explained Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “Our endemic animals are the ultimate survivors. By adapting to survive on St. Martin they became unique species that are found nowhere else on earth.”
Bird Sleuth Caribbean activities are a fun way to learn about birds on St. Martin.
The festival’s Endemic Animal Discovery Station will feature many of the special critters that live only on the island. They are a key part of the heritage of the island. If they were lost here, they would disappear from the world. Children and adults can also learn about birds that live only in our region with fun games and activities from the Bird Sleuth Caribbean programme.
The festival will also use the theme “Survivors” to explore local heritage in other ways. A special exhibit of poems from the new book Hurricane Protocol by renowned writer Lasana M. Sekou tells stories of survival in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
Visitors will get a preview of Soualibra, a new research library that collects and shares knowledge about St. Martin. A special exhibit will highlight 5,000 years of eco-friendly traditions on St. Martin.
“At this festival, guests can help St. Martin’s survival,” said Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “You can decorate a bird feeder made from a re-used plastic bottle, and take it home to feed birds in your backyard. You can also take free seedlings of native trees and other plants. You’ll learn about some of the threats we all face here, but also take steps to make the island stronger.”
The Endemic Animal Festival is great for all ages, especially children. Festival guests will also be able to enjoy all the regular exhibits at Amuseum Naturalis, which is located on the hill above Galion Beach in French Quarter.
The 2019 festival is completely free thanks to the generous support of Gold Sponsor Delta Petroleum and sponsors 97150, Birds Caribbean, Buzz, IZI Light, L’Auberge Gourmande, Lagoonies Bistro and Bar, L’Esperance Hotel, St. Martin’s Sweetness and Tri-Sport.
