Introducing the Bucuti Tara – GMC Nature Preserve

Undisturbed green spaces are becoming increasingly rare on our small and treasured island. Today, we are proud to share a meaningful step toward changing that. In partnership with our dear friend Grete Marie Case, and through significant support from our resort, Ewald Biemans has dedicated 12 hectares (30 acres) of private land to establish a nature preserve for the enjoyment of the Aruban community and future generations.

Under The Bucuti & Tara Nature Preservation Foundation, the Bucuti Tara – GMC Park debuts with a reforestation initiative in honor of the resort’s 35th anniversary—an anniversary rooted in a deep commitment to protecting Aruba’s natural heritage.

Preserving Aruba for Aruba

Situated in Noord, near the island’s vibrant hotel district, this land represents the last remaining privately owned undeveloped area in the region. Highly desirable for commercial tourism development, it could have become home to hotels, restaurants, or other businesses.

Instead, Ewald Biemans and Grete Marie Case chose a different path. By purchasing and donating this rare stretch of countryside to the people of Aruba, they are ensuring it will remain protected from development—forever.

The preserve will serve as a sanctuary of calm in one of the island’s busiest areas, safeguarding a natural landscape that holds significant ecological and cultural value.

The Bucuti Tara – GMC Park

The Bucuti Tara – GMC Park is a protected environment where motorized vehicles are not permitted. The area features a classic Aruban ecosystem and welcomes many of the island’s 280 bird species, including the Wara Wara, Shoco, and Prikichi. Native flora and fauna thrive here, offering a haven for wildlife and a peaceful refuge for residents and visitors.

Over time, designated trails will allow guests and locals to enjoy quiet walks, gentle jogs, or moments of reflection surrounded by Aruba’s indigenous trees and plant life.

A 35-Year Commitment to Protecting Aruba

The dedication of this nature preserve coincides with the 35th anniversary of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort. Reflecting on the resort’s history and his six decades on the island, Ewald Biemans remembers an Aruba far more untouched. These memories fuel his lifelong commitment to preserving its natural beauty.

Biemans’ environmental leadership extends well beyond the resort. He founded the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Environmental Committee, launched the Sponsor-a-Mile program, and has helped implement eco-certification programs worldwide. He has inspired generations of local students through EcoKids, university lectures, and hands-on sustainability tours.

In 2019, recognizing the island’s changing landscape and the effects of deforestation, Biemans introduced Lanta y Planta, a reforestation initiative aimed at restoring native tree coverage across Aruba.

Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future

As the Bucuti – GMC Nature Preserve is officially dedicated, Bucuti & Tara reaffirms its 35-year commitment to Aruba’s people, environment, and sustainable future.

“As a long-time practitioner of sustainability and the Caribbean’s first certified carbon-neutral hotel, this milestone anniversary allows us to reflect on our positive impact and to continue uplifting our community. Through reforesting this land with indigenous trees, we hope to celebrate our island’s natural heritage and gift future generations a place of peace, beauty, and inspiration,”says Ewald Biemans, Owner/CEO of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort.