What’s happening
at Tera Barra?

Well, we keep ourselves busy, that’s for sure! All of our activities are about sustainability and creating a biodiverse forests for the island.

Growing and selling native plants

We sell native plants and trees from our greenhouses for nature restoration projects and drought-resistant landscaping, while continuing to expand Bonaire’s biodiversity. To keep the greenhouse in good order, our volunteers are often found watering, repotting, removing weeds, and ensuring our plants are happy and well-nourished. Seeds are collected on the island during (un)organised hikes!

Our Nature Trails

We continually expand and maintain the trails by planting rare and endangered native species, as well as creating new tree and shrub identification signs. Visitors can enjoy these trails by themselves, or with a guided tour.

Expansion of the knowledge center

We are maintaining and expanding our Knowledge Center by collecting and identifying woods, plants, seeds, shrubs, birds, fossils, insects, and other elements that represent Bonaire’s natural biodiversity. We discover things too as we work there, and it is fun to better understand how different aspects of nature interact.

Education and outreach for all

We create educational materials for the community and visitors and offer youth programs to learn early about the importance of biodiversity and building stewardship and excitement about our natural environment.

  • Beehive maintenance

    We maintain beehives and sell honey when it’s in season. Johan is our resident beekeeper and seems to have a magic way with coaxing the bees to produce his world-renowned honey. A very special treat for those who manage to get it.

  • Making compost and soil

    We use old clippings, rotten wood, and dead trees, garden waste and donkey droppings to mix up a lovely batch of compost to nourish our plants.  They love it!

  • Shredding and Mulching

    We have a wood-chipper to further help nourish our plants and break down large tree trunks and branches. We use this to line our paths and prevent weeds from growing in our greenhouse potted plants. Wood chips are also a main component for compost.

  • Construction and Maintenance

    We build and maintain structures such as greenhouses, tree fields or working facilities.