Les Fruits de Mer Launches Rhum Biologique

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It started with a chance discovery and a quirk of Caribbean biological research. During the development of their free pop-up natural history museum, Amuseum Naturalis, members of Les Fruits de Mer found a cache of antique biological specimens in the attic of the building and a product was born: Rhum Biologique.

“Strong rum was the fluid of choice for early naturalists to preserve their plant and animal specimens before rubbing alcohol and formaldehyde were readily available in the Caribbean,” explained museum curator Mark Yokoyama. “We realized these specimens were over 100 years old—and so was the rum. No matter what’s floating in it, you don’t skip the chance to taste a rum that old.”

The Amuseum team found the century-old specimen-infused rum surprisingly palatable, and it quickly became the inspiration for Amusuem Naturalis Rhum Biologique. The team immediately started using high-proof white rums to preserve their own specimens on display at the museum, which have served a dual purpose as Rhum Biologique test flavors.

DSC_0056“Flavored rums are a Caribbean cultural tradition, and we’re excited to literally infuse that with a touch of natural history,” said Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “It took some experimentation to come up with the best flavor and aroma profiles, but what we developed is both delicious and captures the spirit of St. Martin. You can really taste the natural heritage!”

Amuseum Naturalis Rhum Biologique is infused by an artisanal, small-batch process, and is currently available in three flavors: Arthropoda, Reptilia, and Poecilia. All three recipes are based on invasive animal species—harvesting for production is not only sustainable, but benefits native species. Reptilia is primarily flavored with Green Iguana, and Poecilia is Guppy-based. Arthropoda infuses a proprietary mix of eleven bugs and spiders.

The official launch party for Rhum Biologique is open to the public and will be held at Amuseum Naturalis on Tuesday, April 5th from 6-10pm. More information can be found at http://rhumbiologique.com.

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Native Animal Signage at the St. Maarten Zoo

Yesterday we took part in a fantastic project to add native animal signage to the St. Maarten Zoo. The Zoo is a favorite spot for local and visiting kids and families. It’s also a space where many of our native animal species can be seen, including some that are only found in our region. We think it is a wonderful place to showcase education about native species, where it has the potential to impact both residents and tourists and make a visit to the zoo more engaging and rewarding.

We had lots of help with this project, from the Zoo, from Be the Change SXM, which funded the sign printing and from SXM DOET and all the volunteers that participated in the installation. If you’re interested in supporting or participating in projects like this, feel free to contact us. More importantly, consider joining Be the Change SXM to support other great projects on this island and sign up to volunteer in next year’s SXM DOET.

Sharing St. Martin Wildlife

We are working on a very cool project to improve the zoo by creating signage telling the story of St. Martin’s native animals. It’s a story we want to tell to the local kids who visit the school and also a chance to share something unique and authentic about St. Martin with the tourists that visit. We encourage folks to make a donation this month—or even better—make a recurring monthly donation. It’s the easiest way to help a variety of non-profits create positive change on St. Martin. Visit Be the Change SXM to find out more and to contribute.

We are also excited to work with SXM DOET to install the signage at the Zoo. DOET is an awesome volunteer initiative done throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands and you can learn more about our project here.

Amuseum Naturalis Exhibit on Women and People of Color to Open Tuesday, Feb. 9th

This duck species was named by 19th century Jamaican naturalist Richard Hill.
This duck species was named by 19th century Jamaican naturalist Richard Hill.

Island residents and tourists of all ages are invited to the free grand opening of the exhibit Women, People of Color, and the Making of Natural History in the Caribbean, on Tuesday, February 9 from 6-10pm at Amuseum Naturalis in Grand Case.

The exhibit is a special series at Amuseum Naturalis, created to shine a light on the contributions of women and people of color in the study of natural history in the Caribbean, from the 1600s to the early 1900s. The exhibit brings their discoveries, explorations and stories to life with vivid biographical snapshots and reproductions of beautiful historical zoological and botanical illustrations, engravings, portraits and maps.

“The historical contributions of women and people of color to science have often been hidden, suppressed, or simply not as well publicized as those of their white male contemporaries, and this is just as true in the Caribbean as elsewhere,” explains Jenn Yerkes, Amuseum Naturalis co-curator and Les Fruits de Mer President. “We wanted to create an opportunity for people to discover the fascinating stories of these incredible women and men who helped to build the scientific heritage of the Caribbean.”

The exhibit's launch will include the 19th century mixed-race Jamaican naturalist and abolitionist Richard Hill.
The exhibit’s launch will include the 19th century mixed-race Jamaican naturalist and abolitionist Richard Hill.
The free, public exhibit will launch Tuesday night with the first installation of the series, which will include captivating figures such as naturalist and scientific artist Maria Sibylla Merian (1647 – 1717), known for her expedition to Suriname to document Caribbean insects, reptiles, birds, and plants; Graman Quassi (ca. 1690 – ca. 1780), a renowned Surinamese healer and botanist of African descent; Richard Hill (1795-1872), a trailblazing mixed-race naturalist and anti-slavery activist from Jamaica; and Felipe Poey (1799-1891), a Cuban zoologist known for his pioneering study of Caribbean marine life. The upcoming installations will be added throughout the run of the exhibit, so there will be new additions for visitors to enjoy every week. The exhibit will coincide with Black History Month and run through International Women’s Day, March 8, 2016.

Women, People of Color, and the Making of Natural History in the Caribbean will be on display in the special exhibit hall of Amuseum Naturalis, Les Fruits de Mer’s free pop-up museum of natural history located at 96 Boulevard de Grand Case. Amuseum Naturalis is open to the public on Tuesdays during the Mardis de Grand Case street fair, and is sponsored by Delta Petroleum.

Zoological images like this hummingbird, named by 19th century mixed-race naturalist Richard Hill, will be on display at the exhibit.
Zoological images like this hummingbird, named by 19th century mixed-race naturalist Richard Hill, will be on display at the exhibit.

Thank You, Seagrape Tours!

Seagrape Tours

We want to send out a special thank you this morning to Seagrape Tours, a local company doing nature tours on St. Martin. They set aside $2 from every guest to support local non-profits working with nature and conservation, including Les Fruits de Mer and Nature Foundation St. Maarten. They came by Amuseum Naturalis on Tuesday to drop off a donation of $150!

Obviously, this is great for our association, which depends primarily on donations and sponsorships to create wildlife education experiences like our festivals, museum and free publications. It also shows how three basic elements can strengthen and reinforce each other in the interest of preserving our natural heritage. Les Fruits de Mer is focused on education, with the aim of stimulating interest in and passion for nature. Nature Foundation St. Maarten works to protect the local environment and manage protected areas. Seagrape Tours is creating an economic incentive to preserve nature and use it in a sustainable way. We believe all three components are complementary and necessary parts of the conservation process and crucial to the future of the island.

Museum Babies

One other event of note that happened at Amuseum Naturalis was a birth. In fact, a lot of them. A shrimp that has had a large cluster of eggs under her tail for the past couple weeks gave birth to a bajillion tiny shrimplets. The shrimplets were about as big as grains of sand, so it was a little tricky to photograph them, but here are a few shots of them and their proud mom.

Amuseum Naturalis in Photos

After the mad rush to get open on the 12th, we took a week to refine our first set of exhibits and things were really looking great when we opened for the Mardis de Grand Case street fair last night. I popped by this morning to take a few photos of this version of the museum. If you haven’t come by to check it out yet, you can get an idea of what we have in our main exhibition hall and special exhibit room right now: Gut Life, To the Bat Cave!, The Tree of Life, Shadow of a Drought, The Shell Collector, Team Clean, and Women, People of Color and the Making of Natural History in the Caribbean.

Pond Life in Destination St. Martin Magazine

I just wanted to thank Destination St. Martin/St. Maarten Magazine for giving us the chance to tell the story of the island’s fascinating wetland birds in the 2016 issue. Wildlife—at least of the animal sort—may not be the first thing on people’s minds when they think of St. Martin, but the nature of the island is a fascinating and unique part of what the island has to offer and we love to share our passion for it.

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Les Fruits de Mer Association Opens Free Natural History Museum in Grand Case

Les Fruits de Mer's free natural history museum will be open 6-10pm every Mardi de Grand Case. Visitors can see new additions to Les Fruits de Mer's free natural history museum every week. (Photo: Maël Renault)
Les Fruits de Mer’s free natural history museum will be open 6-10pm every Mardi de Grand Case. Visitors can see new additions to Les Fruits de Mer’s free natural history museum every week. (Photo: Maël Renault)

Hundreds of island residents and visitors poured into 96 Boulevard de Grand Case on Tuesday evening during the first Mardi de Grand Case for the grand opening of Amuseum Naturalis. Amuseum Naturalis is a free, public pop-up museum showcasing the natural history of St. Martin and the Caribbean, created by the Les Fruits de Mer association. Locals and tourists of all ages are invited to discover captivating natural history displays, biological curiosities, marvels of nature, spectacular specimens, live wildlife displays, a theater showing wildlife films, and more, throughout high season 2016 in this one-of-a-kind exhibition space.

Christian Papaliolios, President and General Director of Delta Petroleum, the sponsor of Amuseum Naturalis, officially opened the museum with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6pm on Tuesday, accompanied by Mardis de Grand Case organizer Chantal Vernusse, and Les Fruits de Mer officers and volunteers. The space for the temporary museum was donated for the 2016 high season to the Les Fruits de Mer association by Papaliolios and Delta Petroleum.

President and General Director of Delta Petroleum Christian Papaliolios cut the ribbon to officially open Amuseum Naturalis. (Photo: Maël Renault)
President and General Director of Delta Petroleum Christian Papaliolios cut the ribbon to officially open Amuseum Naturalis. (Photo: Maël Renault)

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have been given the opportunity to bring Amuseum Naturalis to life, and see everybody enjoying it,” said Mark Yokoyama, Les Fruits de Mer co-founder and Amuseum co-curator. “It would not have been possible without all the hard work of our awesome volunteers, who came together to help create this incredible place, building and painting display tables and benches, and putting together these amazing exhibitions,” added the Amuseum’s other co-curator, Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes.

On display now at Amuseum Naturalis are exhibits on St. Martin’s bats, the endangered native Gaïac tree, insects that help keep the island clean, and “Gut Life: the Fascinating Freshwater Ecosystems of St. Martin.” The Amuseum’s special exhibits room is currently featuring an exclusive show of stunning original photographs and text from the photo essay Shadow of a Drought by nature photographer Yokoyama, highlighting the effects of drought on key St. Martin wetlands. Also on view is the first installment of “Women, People of Color, and the Making of Natural History in the Caribbean,” a unique series that reveals and celebrates the often hidden, suppressed, or not widely known historical contributions of women and people of color to the study of Caribbean flora and fauna.

“We hope everyone will stop by every Tuesday during Mardis de Grand Case to see what’s happening at the Amuseum,” said Yerkes. “We’ll have new wonders every week!”

This crayfish, the apex predator of his ecosystem, is featured in the Amuseum Naturalis exhibit on St. Martin's freshwater habitats. (Photo: Mark Yokoyama)
This crayfish, the apex predator of his ecosystem, is featured in the Amuseum Naturalis exhibit on St. Martin’s freshwater habitats. (Photo: Mark Yokoyama)

Bird Watch – Balancing Act

The force is not the only thing that needs balancing. The recent drought and subsequent rains have brought the return of the caterpillars and a great disturbance in the trees, as if millions of leaves were suddenly eaten. Will they rule the island and turn it into a barren wasteland? There are some birds that might find your lack of faith disturbing.

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Record Crowds Enjoy Activity-packed Birds & Bugs Event

Attendees of all ages gather for one of the event's guided bird tours of the forest.
Attendees of all ages gather for one of the event’s guided bird tours of the forest.

Over 400 people attended the second Birds & Bugs event on Sunday at Loterie Farm to learn more about the birds and invertebrates living in the tropical broadleaf forest on St. Martin. Activities included interacting with live insects, going on guided birding tours and creating “bugs” out of natural materials. Birds & Bugs 2015 was presented by the Les Fruits de Mer association in partnership with Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and Loterie Farm.

“The turnout was fantastic—our best-attended event so far, and perhaps the biggest wildlife education event in the history of the island,” reported Jenn Yerkes, President of Les Fruits de Mer. “Our amazing experts and volunteers worked hard to make this event a real success for everybody!”

Event-goers examined caterpillars of every stripe at the Bug Discovery Station's Caterpillar Corner.
Event-goers examined caterpillars of every stripe at the Bug Discovery Station’s Caterpillar Corner.

The Bug Discovery Station was a busy attraction, featuring a Caterpillar Corner and a fascinating array of live insects and spiders, from walking sticks and beetles to a Tarantula Hawk Wasp and a tarantula. There was even a Souliga Wall Crab Spider, which is only found on St. Martin. The station also included an area where guests could try their hand at identifying a variety of species with the help of guidebooks, magnifying glasses and a microscope. Many guests came to the event with questions about the caterpillars that are currently particularly abundant on Flamboyant trees.

The art activity station was abuzz with kids and adults having fun creating strange new forms of bug life from natural materials at the Build-A-Bug Workshop. These crazy critters were constructed in all shapes and sizes and could be made into clips or refrigerator magnets to take home.

Kids and adults created extraordinary insects from natural materials at the event's Build-A-Bug Workshop.
Kids and adults created extraordinary insects from natural materials at the event’s Build-A-Bug Workshop.

Hundreds of visitors took guided walks in the forest with professional bird guide and local bird expert Binkie van Es, where they also had a unique chance to learn about bird banding from EPIC’s President Natalia Collier and Senior Biologist Adam Brown. EPIC has been banding birds for research at Loterie Farm for 15 years. Although the wet weather was not ideal for birding, guests had the opportunity to visit with the bird researchers and find out about the tropical broadleaf forest, a rare and important habitat that covers only a small part of the island.

At EPIC’s Bird Education Station, hosted by Environmental Educator Laura Bijnsdorp, 100 kids played a Bird Bingo birdwatching game for prizes. Les Fruits de Mer’s Club Gaïac native tree replanting project introduced a new crowd-sourced experiment, distributing dozens of free seed kits with instructions for testing different seed preparation methods at home to increase germination rates.

The Bird Bingo birdwatching game at EPIC's Bird Education Station was a big hit with kids.
The Bird Bingo birdwatching game at EPIC’s Bird Education Station was a big hit with kids.

Les Fruits de Mer’s next public project will be a series of free, fun wildlife presentations at Mardis de Grand Case, every Tuesday evening in Grand Case starting January 12th.

Birds & Bugs 2015 was a free, public Wildlife Discovery Event hosted by Les Fruits de Mer in partnership with EPIC and Loterie Farm. Birds & Bugs 2015 was sponsored by Buccaneer Beach Bar, Delta Petroleum, Hotel L’Esplanade, Island Mattress, St. Martin Voyages and Tri-Sport. For more information about Les Fruits de Mer, visit: www.lesfruitsdemer.com or stop by their booth at Mardis de Grand Case.

A team of wildlife experts and volunteers from Les Fruits de Mer and EPIC brought Birds & Bugs to life.
A team of wildlife experts and volunteers from Les Fruits de Mer and EPIC brought Birds & Bugs to life.

Birds & Bugs Photos, Part Four

Our Birds & Bugs wrap-up wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to our sponsors. Like all our events, Birds & Bugs is totally free and the only way that can happen is through the generosity of our sponsors, who foot the bill for all our supplies and expenses. Thank you!!!

buccaneerBuccaneer Beach Bar
Conveniently located on Kim Sha Beach, Buccaneer Beach Bar is a friendly watering hole for locals and visitors alike. Relax in the glow of the fireballs on Friday and Sunday evenings, or bring the whole family on Fridays for kids movies on the beach.
http://buccaneerbeachbar.com

delta-LOGO-smallDelta Petroleum
Founded in 1985, Delta serves the Caribbean with superior performance diesel, gasoline and LPG meeting U.S. and European standards. Delta is a proud and growing member of the communities from the Virgin Islands to Martinique. Delta Petroleum has been a sponsor of many of our events.
http://deltapetroleum.com

Esplanade-logo-squareHotel L’Esplanade
This hotel has established a cult following from guests that enjoy an authentic, luxurious, unpretentious and un-touristy Caribbean experience with a homey feel. Recognized by TripAdvisor as one of the Caribbean’s “Best Hidden Gems”, and recently named #19 of the top 25 hotels in all of the Caribbean, Hotel L’Esplanade has been a Les Fruits benefactor member since 2013 and has sponsored many Les Fruits de Mer events.
http://www.lesplanade.com – Hotel L’Esplanade on Facebook

Island Mattress
Island-Mattress-stacked-webIsland Mattress stocks the largest selection of mattresses in the area and specializes in the art of good sleep. Visit their showroom in Hope Estate to check out their mattresses and contemporary furniture.
http://www.island-mattress.com

entete-sxm-voyages-webSt. Martin Voyages
Your agent for fantastic holidays, St. Martin Voyages is an official retailer for all airlines, with a mission to provide the best possible service for all your travel needs, from flights and cruises to custom trips and packages.
https://www.facebook.com/sxmvoyages/

Tri-Sport-Logo-webTri-Sport
Tri-Sport is the go-to shop for the active community of St. Maarten/St. Martin and the neighboring islands of Anguilla, Saba, Statia, and St. Barths. They run ecologically-friendly tours that get people out and moving – kayaking, bicycling, hiking, boogie boarding, and snorkeling. Tri-Sport’s retail shops carry all the necessities for triathlons with an emphasis on bicycles.
http://trisportsxm.com

Birds & Bugs Photos, Part Three

We also couldn’t do Birds & Bugs without our fantastic partners, EPIC and Loterie Farm!

About Environmental Protection in the Caribbean
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) is a non-profit organization registered in St. Maarten and the United States. Founded in 2000 with the mission to protect the Caribbean environment through research and community-based action, EPIC has conducted long-term studies on the birds of the island while working to raise awareness of bird conservation issues. EPIC biologists have partnered with Loterie Farm for over a decade to study the health and diversity of birds in this rare habitat. http://www.epicislands.org

About Loterie Farm
Loterie Farm is a private nature reserve on the western slope of Pic Paradis. The 54-hectare property includes broadleaf forest as well as the remains of historical buildings dating back to the 18th century. Loterie Farm aims to safeguard both the history and the environment while also sharing these unique natural surroundings with the public. One of the most ecologically significant sites on St. Martin, Loterie Farm has hosted a great deal of biological research, including ongoing studies of birds and other animals. Loterie Farm offers hiking and zip-lining as well as a gourmet restaurant, lounge, and spring-fed swimming pool. http://loteriefarm.com

Birds & Bugs Photos, Part Two

If you see a lot of folks in blue shirts in these photos, you’ll have an idea of how many wonderful volunteers we have. We couldn’t do fun, free events like this without them! Thank you, team Birds & Bugs: Adam Brown, Natalia Collier, Laura Bijnsdorp, Binkie Van Es, Paul Fry, Jill Kellsall, Patricia Coppie, Jovan Halley, Sarah Allen, Mael Renault, Simon Aubert, Clement Rouard, Muriel Morice, Roxane Boquet, Corinne Draesner, Anouchka Henocq, Rodger Boutelle, Marie-Estelle Pradel, Dorothee Allanic, William Allanic, Jenn Yerkes and Mark Yokoyama!

Press for Birds & Bugs

We’re very excited to share local and regional press for Birds & Bugs and very grateful for all the news organizations that are helping spread the word about this event. Below is a sampling of online and print coverage for the event. More info on our site and on Facebook.

The Daily Herald, December 2015
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Le Pélican, December 2015
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The Daily Herald, December 2015
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97150, December 2015
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Today Newspaper, December 2015
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The Kids Herald, December 2015
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Voilá, November 2015
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Soualiga Newsday

St. Martin News Network

SXM Info

SXM Island Time

Anguilla News

Free Fun for All Ages at Birds & Bugs Event this Sunday!

Birds & Bugs 2015 is this Sunday, December 6th, from 9am-12pm at Loterie Farm.
Birds & Bugs 2015 is this Sunday, December 6th, from 9am-12pm at Loterie Farm.

Residents and visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy a morning of wildlife-themed entertainment and exploration this Sunday at Birds & Bugs 2015. The event will take place on December 6th from 9am to noon at Loterie Farm on Pic Paradis, rain or shine. Birds & Bugs is a free, public Wildlife Discovery Event, created by Les Fruits de Mer for locals and tourists alike to get to know the captivating creatures and birds that make their home in the forest.

Sunday’s event will offer a full array of free, fun activities designed and led by naturalists, scientists, educators, and other local wildlife specialists. “It’s the perfect chance to learn about this island’s fantastic forest life from experts,” says Les Fruits de Mer President Jennifer Yerkes. “We’d like to welcome everyone to come out and have a great time!”

Event-goers will learn to spot songbirds, hummingbirds, and other forest-dwelling avians on bird tours of the forest, led by professional birding guide Binkie van Es. Tours will leave regularly throughout the event and will be available in French, English, and Dutch. Attendees who plan to go on a birding tour are recommended to bring sturdy shoes. Binoculars will be available for sharing on the tours.

This year’s attendees will be offered a truly unique experience at Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)’s Bird Banding Station–to see wildlife research in action, and some hard-to-find birds in person. Bird Banding Station visitors will have the rare opportunity to watch EPIC’s key bird researchers as they capture, study, and release birds as part of their 15-year bird banding effort on the slopes of Pic Paradis. EPIC President Natalia Collier and EPIC Senior Biologist Adam Brown will be on site to share what they’ve learned about the songbird populations in this special broadleaf forest habitat.

Guests will have the rare chance to see shy migratory songbirds like the Black and White Warbler at the Bird Banding Station.
Guests will have the rare chance to see shy migratory songbirds like the Black and White Warbler at the Bird Banding Station.

Guests can find out more about the birds of the broadleaf forest at the Bird Education Station hosted by EPIC Environmental Educator Laura Bijnsdorp. This Station will feature hands-on exhibits of birds for kids and adults, info about the resident and migratory birds of St. Martin and the habitat they call home, and a fun Bird Bingo game with prizes for children. Bird-related paraphernalia will also be available there, for event attendees looking for an early holiday gift.

The Bug Discovery Station will give adults and kids an unforgettable up-close look at a variety of the island’s insects, spiders and other invertebrates. Live insects will be on display, and guests will learn about their life cycles and other intriguing info about these small animals and their role in the local ecosystem. A “What Am I” microscope bug ID game will join other exciting new interactive exhibits at the Discovery Station this year.

Kids and adults can get up close with island insects at the Bug Discovery Station at this Sunday's wildlife event. (Photo by Chemaine Petit-Booi)
Kids and adults can get up close with island insects at the Bug Discovery Station at this Sunday’s wildlife event. (Photo by Chemaine Petit-Booi)

Club Gaïac, Les Fruits de Mer’s ongoing heritage tree project, will also be at Sunday’s event with a free giveaway of special seed kits and a new experiment that everyone can take part in. The Club Gaïac table will have displays where guests can learn about the history and ecology of this beautiful endangered tree, and find out how replanting native trees can help St. Martin’s birds and bugs.

People of all ages can participate in creative activities inspired by local wildlife, including coloring, sketching, and a craft. Younger kids will enjoy coloring and activity pages designed by local artists featuring island animals. In the event’s Build-A-Bug craft, children and adults can create their own insect from natural materials and transform it into a clip, magnet, or mobile to take home.

Les Fruits de Mer have released a free ebook for kids, Bugs in Paradise, to promote Sunday’s event. The ebook features full-color photos of the incredible insects found in the forest habitats of Pic Paradis, and entertains young readers with fascinating facts about each species in rhyming text. The ebook can be downloaded for free at https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/resources/books/.

Photos and poems from the free children's ebook Bugs in Paradise will be on display at this Sunday's Birds & Bugs event at Loterie Farm.
Photos and poems from the free children’s ebook Bugs in Paradise will be on display at this Sunday’s Birds & Bugs event at Loterie Farm.

For more information about Birds & Bugs, visit https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/events/birds-bugs/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/482567428570505/.

Birds & Bugs 2015 is a co-production of the Les Fruits de Mer Association, EPIC, and Loterie Farm. The event is made possible by the hard work and talent of many volunteers, and the generous sponsorship of Buccaneer Beach Bar, Delta Petroleum, Hotel L’Esplanade, Island Mattress, St. Martin Voyages and Tri-Sport.

Bugs in Paradise

Bugs in Paradise is the companion ebook for our 2015 Birds & Bugs wildlife event. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, you should!

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For our coming festival
We thought it would be nice
To make an ebook just for kids
Called Bugs in Paradise.
With photos to astound the eye
Of creatures where they dwell
The text is written all in verse
And will delight as well.

Download the ebook (PDF, 24 pages, 3.2MB).

You can also get more free wildlife publications on the Books page in our Resources section.

Start Spreading the News

Help us share all the birdsy, buggy magic of Birds & Bugs with more people. We will be forever grateful, and you will have the satisfaction of making a difference if you just take a minute to:

Share the event on Facebook and use the INVITE button to invite your friends.

Download an event poster to print at post at your school or business, in any of three languages: Event Poster (English, PDF) – Event Poster (Français, PDF) – Event Poster (Español, PDF).

Tell people about the event and encourage them to come!

Have them watch our fun teaser video:

Birds & Bugs: About Our Sponsors

The only way we can put on events like Birds & Bugs and make them absolutely free for guests to attend is through the generosity of our sponsors. We have six fantastic sponsors for Birds & Bugs 2015, including four first-time sponsors that we’re happy to welcome! Thanks for your support!

buccaneerBuccaneer Beach Bar
Conveniently located on Kim Sha Beach, Buccaneer Beach Bar is a friendly watering hole for locals and visitors alike. Relax in the glow of the fireballs on Friday and Sunday evenings, or bring the whole family on Fridays for kids movies on the beach.
http://buccaneerbeachbar.com

delta-LOGO-smallDelta Petroleum
Founded in 1985, Delta serves the Caribbean with superior performance diesel, gasoline and LPG meeting U.S. and European standards. Delta is a proud and growing member of the communities from the Virgin Islands to Martinique. Delta Petroleum was a sponsor of many of our events.
http://deltapetroleum.com

Esplanade-logo-squareHotel L’Esplanade
This hotel has established a cult following from guests that enjoy an authentic, luxurious, unpretentious and un-touristy Caribbean experience with a homey feel. Acknowledged by TripAdvisor as one of the Caribbean’s “Best Hidden Gems”, and more recently named #19 of the top 25 hotels in all of the Caribbean. Hotel L’Esplanade has been a benefactor member since 2013 and has sponsored many Les Fruits de Mer events.
http://www.lesplanade.com – Hotel L’Esplanade on Facebook

Island Mattress
Island Mattress stocks the largest selection of mattresses in the area and specializes in the art of good sleep. Visit their showroom in Hope Estate to check out their mattresses and contemporary furniture.
http://www.island-mattress.com

entete-sxm-voyages-webSt. Martin Voyages
Your agent for fantastic holidays, St. Martin Voyages is an official retailer for all airlines, with a mission to provide the best possible service for all your travel needs, from flights and cruises to custom trips and packages.
https://www.facebook.com/sxmvoyages/

Tri-Sport-Logo-webTri-Sport
Tri-Sport is the go-to shop for the active community of St. Maarten/St. Martin and the neighboring islands of Anguilla, Saba, Statia, and St. Barths. They run ecologically-friendly tours that get people out and moving – kayaking, bicycling, hiking, boogie boarding, and snorkeling. Tri-Sport’s retail shops carry all the necessities for triathlons with an emphasis on bicycles.
http://trisportsxm.com