A Convivial Blue Commons
We don't just protect nature — we restore it. COIA operates from a regenerative philosophy: ecosystems are the foundation of social and economic well-being, and communities are their most capable stewards. Our work spans conservation, education, cultural heritage, and responsible enterprise — always in service of long-term care over short-term gain.
Area under living
lab stewardship
(Sint Michiel)
Active restoration programs
(MAP, Coral Ways, RCD)
Trategic partner organizations
(Malpais–Sint Michiel)
Years of fieldwork
and conservation expertise
Integrated programme
Sint Michiel Plan
Nature as Foundation
Ecosystems are the basis of social and economic well-being. We restore, not merely protect.
People as Stewards
Communities are active custodians of land, sea, culture, and knowledge.
Conviviality over Extraction
Development prioritises shared value, dignity, and long-term care over short-term exploitation.
Learning by Doing
The territory functions as a Living Lab for applied learning, research, and adaptive management.
Integrated Governance
ollaboration across community, government, science, and enterprise is essential.
Cultural Continuity
Heritage, memory, and identity are living assets that guide future development.
Sint Michiel
Curaçao's Living Lab
1,100 hectares of wetlands, lagoons, dry forest, coral reefs, and historic settlement
is simultaneously a Ramsar-designated wetland of international importance, a site of deep cultural memory, and a living community dependent on land and sea for its livelihoods. We are developing it as Curaçao’s first Convivial Blue Commons: a shared living landscape where ecological restoration, cultural heritage, education, and regenerative economic activity reinforce one another.
About Us
President's Message
“It’s time to turn the tide on conservation. An approach that honours our heritage as knowledgeable stewards of the land — built on the intimate knowledge of communities who have fostered regenerative relationships with the land for generations.”
— Terence L. Ching, President, COIA
explore
Our Partners
clean-up missions
animals were saved
Be Part of Shaping the
Future of Outdoor Recreation in Curaçao
Join a growing alliance of guides, businesses, researchers, and community members committed to regenerative practices, ecological stewardship, and living-lab innovation.