Les Fruits de Mer Provides Natural Inspiration for Students

Click! A huddle of captivated 11-year-olds from Quartier d’Orléans crowded around a tiny, electric green Leaf-mimic Katydid in a portable photo studio at Loterie Farm, taking turns to try out close-up nature photography. The photo workshop was held as part of two sessions of art, culture and science activities organized by the Les Fruits de Mer Association for the Foyer Socio-educatif du Collège de Quartier d’Orléans program, which gives students new experiences and helps them discover their island during the school break.

The first of these sessions took place Tuesday afternoon at Pic Paradis. The students explored local trails and learned about the animals of the tropical broad-leaf forest on wildlife hikes guided by naturalist Mark Yokoyama, the author of The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of Saint Martin. They also enjoyed workshops on insect macro-photography and mask-making at Loterie Farm, who generously donated use of their Bamboo Room for the afternoon. Following the workshops, each student was presented with their own copy of the wildlife guide.

Students proudly display their insect-inspired creations from the Mask-making Workshop. Credit: Olivia Roudon

The second session was held Thursday morning in Cul de Sac. The students met up with Yokoyama for a guided walk of the Mangrove Discovery Trail to learn about migratory birds and the mangrove wetland ecosystem and its benefits to both humans and nature. Then they hit the water for a kayak excursion to Petite Clef with Caribbean Paddling.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to teach youth about local wildlife and engage them with the arts,” explained Les Fruits de Mer Association President Jennifer Yerkes. “This was perfect since we could design our sessions to incorporate several kinds of learning experiences, different ways to interact with topics like wildlife and culture.”

Students discover shutterbug skills in the Insect Macro Photography Workshop. Credit: Olivia Roudon

“For kids, art can make a way to connect with nature and with each other,” added Les Fruits de Mer Secretary Stephen Winkel. Winkel, a local artist, led Tuesday’s mask-masking workshop, showing the students how to work with each other in partner teams to create one-of-a-kind plaster masks for Carnaval and Halloween based on insect faces. Monarch butterflies, katydids, jumping spiders, and many other colorful insects and arachnids found on the island provided natural inspiration for the students’ unique wearable artwork.

Local youth combined art, culture, science and fun in the Insect Mask-making Workshop. Credit: Olivia Roudon

“We’re absolutely delighted to have been a part of this fantastic program to help these kids explore and learn about their island,” said Yerkes. “We think the whole week will be something they’ll really remember.”

The Foyer Socio-educatif du Collège de Quartier d’Orléans program is managed by teacher Anne Coulon. Sixteen students participated in the week-long program, which included eco-snorkeling at Pinel, zip-lining at Loterie Farm, and diving with Bubble Shop as well as the two sessions of activities organized by the Les Fruits de Mer Association.

Les Fruits de Mer is a non-profit association based in St. Martin whose core mission is to raise awareness about nature, culture, and sport. The organization carries out this mission through publications, an education program, and special public outreach events that entertain, inspire, and inform. The Association is currently accepting new member applications on its website, http://ass.lesfruitsdemer.org.