The Les Fruits de Mer association is hard at work on the annual Endemic Animal Festival, coming up on Sunday, April 28th from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis. This year’s theme is Survivors. The festival will feature more activities and special exhibits than ever, but it will still be free to the public thanks to a Gold Sponsorship from Delta Petroleum and sponsorships from nine other local business.
“The Endemic Animal Festival celebrates the animals that live only on St. Martin,” explained Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “These species are true survivors who have adapted to this island. We’ll also explore survival in other ways: how plants survive drought, how people survived on St. Martin in the past and how we all can help St. Martin survive in the future.”
The festival will feature native plant giveways, a bottle recycling art activity, and fun games about local birds. Special exhibits will include an outdoor poetry installation and a display highlighting 5,000 years of reusing and recycling on St. Martin. There will also be a station where guests can see some of the amazing animals that live only here.
This year’s festivities are bigger than ever, but it won’t cost a penny to enjoy them. Long-time sponsor Delta Petroleum became a Gold Sponsor this year so everyone can attend. Sponsorship funds will keep the festival free and also provide buses to the event for youth groups.
“We love supporting our community through this festival,” said Delta Petroleum General Manager Christian Papaliolios. “Local nature and heritage are things that everyone on the island should have a chance to learn about and treasure. You can’t put a price on them.”
Les Fruits de Mer’s annual Endemic Animal Festival is a free public event for all ages that celebrates the unique wildlife and natural heritage of St. Martin. The 2019 event will take place at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter on Sunday, April 28th from 9am to noon. This year’s event is made possible by Gold Sponsor Delta Petroleum and sponsors 97150, BirdsCaribbean, Buzz, IZI Light, L’Auberge Gourmande, Lagoonies Bistro and Bar, L’Esperance Hotel and Tri-Sport.
