Mount Scenery Park

Date established: 1999
Area (Km2): About 53 ha







General description of site:
The Muriel Thissell National Park on the north coast of Saba was an area formerly owned by the Sulphur Mining Company. The area has important biological, geological and historical values. It encompasses all vegetation zones present on Saba, an abandoned sulfur mine, hot springs, and it is an important nesting area for Red-billed tropicbirds and several other species of seabirds.

The Mt Scenery Nature Reserve is about 877 meters above sea level and is the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Elfin forest at the peak is a 6 ha plot of montane cloud fores and consists of of primary forest and climax vegetation.

Ecosystems:

• Primary rain forest
• Elfin forest

Species:

• Orchids
• Mountain palm (Prestoa montana)
• Tree ferns (Cyathea muricata)
• Mountain Mahogany (Freziera undulata)

Internationally recognition

• WHS nomination (underway)

Legal status: The SCF is seeking protection within the terms of the legislation which is currently in draft. Saba does however have a no build zone above the 550m contour. The area is voluntarily protected and actively managed by the Saba Conservation Foundation

Vision and goals:

• Vision: To secure a legal nature protected area in perpetuity that represents a unique and spectacular ecosystem.
• Goal(s)
  • To protect the ecosystem in the elfin forest as an intrinsic and unique natural resource on Saba, the Dutch Kingdom and the Caribbean region;
    
  • To ensure sustainable management of the island’s nature protected areas as an economic, scientific and recreational resource
    
  • To restore, regenerate damage in the Elfin forest as a result of storms and hurricane damage
    
  • To better inform stakeholders on value of Mt Scenery for the island and the region.

Visitation: 8,000 - 10,000 / year
Management body: Saba Conservation Foundation
Type of management structure: Non profit nature management NGO

Main challenges:

• Need for legal designation and protective legislation
  
• Land tenure
  
• Development pressure

Does a management plan exist? In progress
Does an annual report exist? Yes (attached)

Main stakeholders:

• Farmers
  
• Land owners
  
• Tourists

Contact Information:
Saba Conservation Foundation
Jan den Dulk
Fort Bay, Saba
tel: +599-416-3295
www.sabapark.org
E-mail: info@sabapark.org
Website: www.sabapark.org