Caribbean news. Grand Case, St. Martin, March 9, 2014 — Residents and tourists of all ages are invited to learn a little about island wildlife every week, at the booth hosted by the Les Fruits de Mer Association at the Mardis de Grand Case street fair each Tuesday.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come by the booth, which is staffed by local wildlife experts and nature lovers and features different fascinating topics each week. Topics from past Tuesdays have included birds, insects, and sea turtles, and a special marine mammals theme on March 4th with displays provided by the Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin. Visitors to the booth can see short multimedia Discovery Presentations about the wildlife topic of the week, “Ask the Expert” questions about local wildlife, and even have species identified from photos.
Learn about local lizards at the Les Fruits de Mer booth this Tuesday, March 11th. (Photo by Mark Yokoyama)
“Anyone who stops by for just a couple minutes can learn something new and interesting about this island,” says Mark Yokoyama, Les Fruits de Mer cofounder and author of The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of Saint Martin. “We’re especially happy that so many kids come visit the booth each week.” Many people also pass by to share their stories and memories of local wildlife, according to Yokoyama: “We’re really excited to be creating a public space where that happens.”
A young nature fan discusses local insects with naturalist Mark Yokoyama. (Photo by Jenn Yerkes)
“Mardis de Grand Case is such a great showcase for the spirit and culture of the island, so it’s really fun to be including wildlife–which of course is also a unique part of the island’s heritage,” explains Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “It’s the perfect opportunity to show a different side of St. Martin/St. Maarten to the thousands of tourists and residents who attend these street fairs throughout the season.”
People of all ages enjoy Les Fruits de Mer’s mini Wildlife Discovery Presentations each Tuesday. (Photo by Jenn Yerkes)
The wildlife theme for this coming Tuesday, March 11th, will be local lizards. “Want to know which lizards live only on this island and nowhere else in the world? What lizards have been introduced here by humans? Why are there so many iguanas here now?” asks Yokoyama. “Come by the Les Fruits de Mer booth on Tuesday to find out!”
The Les Fruits de Mer booth is open every Tuesday from 6-10pm at the Mardis de Grand Case street fair in Grand Case. The booth is located by the lolos.
St. Martiners big and small learned something new about marine mammals last Tuesday. (Photo by Mark Yokoyama)
Les Fruits de Mer is a non-profit association based in St. Martin whose core mission is to raise awareness about nature, culture, and sport. The organization carries out this mission through publications, an education program, and special public outreach events that entertain, inspire, and inform. The Association is currently accepting new member and corporate benefactor member applications on its website, http://ass.lesfruitsdemer.org.
