Your foundations objectives are well stated on your website. Let's take a look at them with Rain Forest Adventures plan in mind.
- To obtain the Emilio Wilson Estate property.
The EWEF will not gain control of the property under the Rain Forest Adventures plan. - To establish it as a Natural, Cultural and Historical Park for the benefit of present and future generations.
Precisely what we want, with a little adventure and easy access to the peak included making it more attractive, fun, memorable and sustainable. - To facilitate, stimulate and promote educational programs and activities on the importance of the Emilio Wilson Estate's Natural, Cultural and Historical aspects.
Our museum plans celebrate the estates natural, cultural and historical heritage. We also plan a program whereby local school classes volunteer to assist with reforestation in return for a free day in the park to learn the lessons of the museum and enjoy the rides. We want the students to learn about and 'take ownership' of the newly planted endemic forest. - To promote the preservation, conservation, restoration and study of historical monuments and artifacts present at the Emilio Wilson Estate.
We will fully restore the historical structures and RFA has solicited SIMARC to perform archeological investigations with the assistance of the SIMARC Youth Program. - To preserve Sint Maarten's various species of Flora and Fauna found at the Emilio Wilson Estate.
The footprint of the proposed new infrastructure accounts for just 3.6% of the total property, including untouched corridors under the cable attractions. We have committed $1/visitor to a reforestation and forest maintenance fund. As an environmentalist you must agree that replanting endemic forest is considerably more valuable than conserving the post-agriculture invasive species present on the hillside today. - To facilitate the establishment of environmentally friendly agricultural and aqua-cultural stations in specially designated areas of the Emilio Wilson Estate.
Some sample crops of sugar cane and tobacco are planned but no fish farming is forseen. - Promotion of public awareness through the production of publications and media presentations, facilitation and organization of activities, educational programs and assistance to archaeological and biological research on the Emilio Wilson Estate.
There will be high exposure for the Heritage Displays and Nature Programs and, as with our other parks, research is always welcome and local visitation is encouraged with a half price entrance fee. - To obtain sustainable financial resources to achieve and manage the EWEF' s goals.
We have the plan, the recourses, the financing and the proven experience to achieve and manage these goals sustainably. - To pursue co-management agreements with the Sint Maarten, the Nature Foundation of Sint Maarten and the Emilio Wilson Historical and Cultural Park Foundation once the EWEF has achieved structural and financial stability.
We plan to assist the Emilio Wilson Historical and Cultural Park by providing improved maintenance as part of our forest maintenance program.
Mr. Thompson, I totally fail to understand your continued opposition to this proposed park. On several occasions we offered to help you and Miss Veen visit any of our other parks and discuss our operations with local environmental groups so you could foster an educated opinion of our company and our plans yet you consistently rejected our offer. It is unfair of you to accuse us in the press of misleading the public and greenwashing the project without investigating us for yourself. If you did your homework you would find that we are a reputable company with an exceptional environmental record and numerous successes in both conservation and education. We are well experienced working in environmentally sensitive locations with minimal impact. That is why we use helicopters in construction.
You should be taking credit and helping make this program the best it can be. After all, the property would have become housing if not for the extensive EWEF efforts. Now it has the opportunity to be reforested in a sustainable manner while bringing expanded cultural identity and economic benefit to the community, not to mention some fun and adventure. We have a realistic solution here, meeting or exceeding your stated objectives. I ask you once again, why not join us in this? We could use your help.
John Dalton
Chief Engineer
Rain Forest Adventures