Date established: May 9th, 1969
Area (Km2): 35

General description of site:
Located in the Northwest part of Bonaire, Washington Slagbaai National Park is the first and the largest natural sanctuary of the Netherlands Antilles. It is a safe habitat for the terrestrial endemic and endangered species of Bonaire. Parrots, flamingos, parakeets, iguanas and many other species of native birds and reptiles can be found in this reserve. Also, many species of migratory birds from North America find shelter in the park area during their journeys and some species have become residents as well.
The park’s 15 Km of shore line provide an ideal buffer zone for the Bonaire National Marine Park and its beaches are an important nesting ground for all 4 species of sea turtles found in the Caribbean region.
Originally inhabited by native South Americans and later comprising two of the largest and more productive plantations during the colony times, the park is rich in cultural and historical Dutch Antilles heritage.

Ecosystems:

• Thorny forest
  
• Sand dunes
  
• Salt flats
  
• Mangrove
  
• Shrub lands

• SeaTurtles (Dermochelis coriacea, Chelonia midas,Eretmochelis imbricate, Caretta caretta).
  
• Yellow shoulder parrot (Amazonia barbadensis rotschildi)
  
• Greater Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
  
• Iguanas (Iguana iguana)
  
• Bonaire tree lizard (Anolis bonairensis)
  
• Geckos (Gymnodactilus antillensis, Thecadactylusrapicaudus)
  
• Whiptail lizard (Cnemidophorous marinus ruthveni)
  
• Guaiacum officinale
  
• Candle cactus (Lemaireocerous griseus, Cereus repandus, Cephalocereus laniginosus)
  
• Ball cactus (Melocactus sp.)
  
• Dividivi tree (Caesalpinia coriaria)
  
• Brazia tree (Hematoxylon brasileto)
  

Internationally recognition

• 2 RAMSAR sites

Legal status: 50% private land, 50% Government land.

Vision and goals:
Vision:

Goal(s)

• Protect and restore (if necessary) the representative environment and landscape of the South Caribbean region found inside the park, as well as its ecosystems in order to guarantee the balance and continuity of the evolutionary and ecological processes.
• Protect the island’s native genetic diversity and biodiversity in the current ecosystems. Particularly, protect and restore (if necessary) the species that are in danger of extinction or are under special protective status.
  
• Guarantee the sustainable use and/or development of the ecosystems, its elements, and the historical resources, mainly for the benefit of the people of Bonaire.
  
• Provide an area with optimal conditions for environmentally oriented scientific research.
  
• Generate, rescue and spread scientific and historical knowledge that will make possible to understand the importance of using the island resources in a sustainable way.

Site Management

Visitation: 20.000 visitors per year
Management body: STINAPA Bonaire
Type of management structure: Foundation (NGO)

Main challenges:

• Exotic species
• Lack of infrastructure
• Lack of human resources
• Lack of legal framework
• Lack of equipment
  

Does a management plan exist? Yes

Main stakeholders:

• Tour operators
  
• Schools
  

Contact Information and Web Links

Contact Information:
Manager: Fernando Simal
Address: STINAPA Bonaire, Barkadera s/n
Phone: 599 717 8444
Email: washingtonpark@stinapa.org
Website: www.washingtonparkbonaire.org