Volunteering for Nature: Join Johan van Blerk and Tera Barra Through Delfins’ Bloom Back Bonaire Partnership
If you want your holiday to leave Bonaire greener than you found it, Volunteering for Nature at Delfins Beach Resort makes it easy. Through our Bloom Back Bonaire partnership with Tera Barra and its founder, Johan van Blerk, your small choices—like skipping a room clean—become living forests that cool the island and support biodiversity.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to get involved during your stay, what impact your actions have today, and why native trees like the Kibrahacha are central to Bonaire’s ecological resilience.
What is Bloom Back Bonaire?
Bloom Back Bonaire is Delfins’ biodiversity initiative in partnership with the local reforestation foundation Tera Barra. The program turns guest participation into real trees on the ground.
- How it works: Each time you skip a scheduled room clean, Delfins funds the planting of one native tree with Tera Barra.
- Annual ambition: The program aims to plant approximately 7,500 native trees per year on Bonaire.
- Proven results: In 2024, Delfins donated US $7,497.90 to Tera Barra, resulting in 1,499 newly planted native trees across the island.
As Chris Opgenoort, General Manager of Delfins, puts it: “Our guests play a crucial role in the success of Bloom Back Bonaire. By choosing to forgo daily room cleaning, they contribute to the planting of native trees, creating a cooler and more sustainable environment on the island.”
Meet Tera Barra and Johan van Blerk
Tera Barra grows thousands of native trees and plants on a roughly five-acre site between Kralendijk and Rincon. Protected by cactus hedges, this living nursery accelerates island-wide biodiversity by raising and planting species that belong on Bonaire. Visitors are welcome: you can stop by the information center and explore the greenhouses to see reforestation in action.
Founder Johan van Blerk is clear about the vision: “Tera Barra wants to make Bonaire green again within one generation, and this collaboration brings us closer to achieving that goal. Together with Delfins and our volunteers, we are witnessing nature's resurgence, with various plant and insect life returning to the island.”
Johan also highlights a vital local balance: “Bonaire is home to many wild goats and goat farming is an important part of Bonairean culture. We have to try and find a balance there.”
Why reforestation matters on a small island
On islands, native trees do outsized work. They provide shade that helps moderate heat, create habitats for birds and insects, stabilize soils, and keep local ecosystems in balance. As more native trees root and grow, the island’s natural resilience improves—benefiting residents, wildlife, and visitors alike.
The power of the Kibrahacha
One emblematic species is the Kibrahacha, one of Bonaire’s best-known native trees. Its wood is ultra strong—the name itself comes from the words “kibra” (break) and “hacha” (axe). After intense rainfall, the Kibrahacha bursts into bright yellow bloom, and insects and birds replenish their energy on its nectar.
At Delfins, we honor the Kibrahacha’s welcoming, energizing spirit. You’ll see it reflected in our house style and company clothing, a daily reminder of the island’s natural character we’re committed to protect.
How to take part: Volunteering for Nature during your stay
You don’t need a full day in work gloves to make a difference. At Delfins, Volunteering for Nature is built into your experience—while also welcoming hands-on learning at Tera Barra.
Quick answer (featured snippet)
How can I volunteer for nature during my Bonaire vacation? Skip a scheduled room clean to plant a native tree through Bloom Back Bonaire, and visit Tera Barra’s information center and greenhouses to learn more.
Your action-to-impact guide
| Action | What it means at Delfins | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Skip a room clean | Choose to forgo daily housekeeping | One native tree planted with Tera Barra per skipped clean |
| Visit Tera Barra | Explore the info center and greenhouses between Kralendijk and Rincon | Learn how native trees restore biodiversity and see reforestation up close |
| Ask our concierge for help | Get directions or arranged transport to Tera Barra | Make your visit seamless and accessible |
| Dive and boat responsibly | Remember Bonaire’s waters are a National Marine Park; anchoring is prohibited; 100+ public moorings are available | Protects coral reefs while you explore the island’s waters |
Step-by-step: Make your impact today
- At check-in: Let our team know you’d like to participate in Bloom Back Bonaire by skipping daily room cleaning.
- During your stay: Visit Tera Barra’s information center and greenhouses to connect with reforestation in person.
- On the water: If you’re boating or diving, use the public moorings rather than anchoring to help protect the reef.
- Share and inspire: Tell fellow travelers about Bloom Back Bonaire so more trees take root.
Plan a visit to Tera Barra
Tera Barra is easy to include in your itinerary—perfect before or after a beach day or dive.
- Where: The site sits between Kralendijk and Rincon.
- What to see: A thriving native-plant nursery, greenhouses, and an information center.
- How to get there: Our concierge can provide directions or arrange transport.
Pro tip for trip planners: If you’re organizing a group retreat or meeting at Delfins, consider adding a Tera Barra visit as an educational outing. It complements our Meeting & Events capabilities and brings your sustainability goals to life.
Bloom Back Bonaire in numbers and goals
- One skipped clean = one native tree planted with Tera Barra.
- 2024 milestone: US $7,497.90 donated → 1,499 trees planted across Bonaire.
- Annual aim: Approximately 7,500 native trees planted each year through the program.
As General Manager Chris Opgenoort observes, the results are visible: “You can already see nature becoming greener and a wide variety of insects busily buzzing around. This is having a wonderful positive effect on the island!”
FAQs: Volunteering for Nature with Delfins and Tera Barra
How does Bloom Back Bonaire work?
Each time you skip a scheduled room clean, Delfins funds the planting of one native tree with Tera Barra.
How many trees does the program aim to plant each year?
Bloom Back Bonaire targets the planting of approximately 7,500 native trees annually.
How many trees were planted in 2024 and how much was donated?
In 2024, Delfins donated US $7,497.90, resulting in 1,499 native trees planted across Bonaire.
Can I visit Tera Barra during my stay?
Yes. Tera Barra welcomes visitors. The information center and greenhouses are open to guests who want to learn more about native-tree reforestation. Our concierge can provide directions or arrange transport.
Where is Tera Barra located?
Between Kralendijk and Rincon on a roughly five-acre reforestation site.
How are Bonaire’s coastal waters protected?
All waters around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire form the Bonaire National Marine Park. Anchoring is prohibited to protect the reef, and there are more than 100 public moorings for visiting boats and dive operators.
Practical takeaways you can use right now
- Commit to Volunteering for Nature by opting out of daily housekeeping—every skipped clean plants a native tree.
- Add a Tera Barra visit to your itinerary to see reforestation in action and meet the mission up close.
- Notice the Kibrahacha—its yellow blooms signal how native species support pollinators and enrich the island’s biodiversity.
- If you’re exploring the sea, use public moorings and follow park guidelines to protect the reef.
- Traveling with a group? Align your schedule with Delfins’ Meeting & Events offerings and include a sustainability-focused excursion.
- Want more ideas? Explore our Sustainability information and the Experiences section (including resort maps) to plan an eco-forward stay.
Conclusion: Your stay can grow a greener Bonaire
With Bloom Back Bonaire, Volunteering for Nature is simple, tangible, and rewarding. Skip a clean to plant a tree. Visit Tera Barra to learn and be inspired. Then carry the island’s conservation spirit into every choice you make—on land and at sea.
Call to action: Book your stay at Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire, ask our team to enroll you in Bloom Back Bonaire, and plan a visit to Tera Barra. Let’s make Bonaire greener—together.