NARENA stands for Natural Resources and Environmental Assessment. The department was initiated on the basis of a unique project in which one of the objectives was to collect data and divide Suriname into eco-regions. The department specializes in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the application of Remote Sensing (RS) for studying the natural resources of Suriname. The department’s general aim is to promote spatial coordination between human activities, needs and well-being at community level.
Some specific goals are: 1) developing and applying GIS / RS techniques for sustainable forestry and agricultural land use, 2) carrying out spatial analyses of renewable natural resources, and 3) providing services to the Surinamese community through the production of map material (either basic maps or on request) and providing GIS, RS and GPS training.