Aula di Lama and Shoco Boulevard: Iberostar Aruba promotes environmental education and local conservation

How did the Aula di Lama project come about and what is its goal?

Aula di Lama is the first educational center of its kind in any Iberostar hotel, which in other destinations also has coral farms or coral laboratories. In Aruba, the decision was made to create a space dedicated to environmental education to connect the numerous local NGOs (more than 200) and provide them with a place where they can educate the island's children on specific topics related to biodiversity, sustainability, and marine conservation, adapted to the local reality. This responds to the need to adapt educational programs, which in Aruba were typically based on Dutch models with little connection to the island's biodiversity.

Is there any intention to replicate Aula di Lama in other Iberostar destinations?

Yes, the idea is under discussion. Aula di Lama has had a significant impact, and similar projects are being evaluated in other destinations, such as the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, to foster connections between NGOs, the tourism industry, and educators.

What impact do you see on the local community and Aruba with this project?

Aula di Lama has succeeded in uniting various NGOs, government entities, and the public and private sectors around common goals. Rather than working in isolation, collaboration allows for optimized efforts and maximized results for conservation and environmental education.

Which national and international organizations participate?

We are working with UNESCO, which provides an international framework, and with Aruba Birdlife Conservation, a local organization dedicated to protecting species like the shoco, Aruba's iconic burrowing owl, which is linked to the Global Owl Project. We also collaborate with the Metabolic Foundation, which works on plastic reduction and recycling, and the Soldaci Foundation, which promotes coral restoration and certifies tour guides in environmentally responsible practices.

How can hotel guests participate in Aula di Lama activities?

We are currently conducting a pilot program with the children of hotel employees, who will participate in a summer camp to learn about the ocean and beaches and engage in hands-on activities, such as microplastic testing. Based on the results, we plan to extend the program to guests' children, thus fostering a connection between visitors and environmental education.

Communication is key to sustainability. How important is it to publicize these initiatives before tourists visit?

It's essential to inform and educate visitors before their arrival to promote responsible behavior. For example, many people arrive with large quantities of bottled water due to misinformation, even though Aruba's drinking water is of excellent quality. At Iberostar, we provide reusable bottles to reduce plastic waste, and advance communication helps reduce the environmental impact. Social media and institutional campaigns play a decisive role in this education.

Besides Aula di Lama, could you tell us about Shoco Boulevard?

During the construction of the JOIA Aruba by Iberostar hotel, a shoco, Aruba's iconic burrowing owl, was discovered nesting on the property. This discovery inspired the creation of Shoco Boulevard, a wildlife corridor developed in partnership with Aruba Birdlife Conservation to conserve this endangered species.

The specimen that motivated the initiative, known as the "pirate shoco" because it lost an eye in an accident, was rehabilitated and now resides on the property. The boulevard includes artificial burrows and native vegetation and seeks to balance tourism development with biodiversity preservation, creating safe spaces for shoco reproduction.