Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus). Credit: Lucy Emery.

  Trinidad and Tobago, 24 September 2024 – The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), in its role as the Regional Implementation Team for the current CEPF investment in the Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot, have awarded five new grants to support biodiversity conservation efforts in the Dominican Republic. This brings the total number of CEPF-supported projects in the country to 16, with a cumulative value of US$2.9 million. The most recent grants have been awarded to the American Bird Conservancy, CESAL, Fondazione AVSI, Fundación CIDEAL de Cooperacion e Investigación and Fundación CODESPA.

Restoring important ecosystems
The American Bird Conservancy’s efforts focus on restoring the natural ecosystem of Alto Velo Island, a small uninhabited island south of Hispaniola. Working with partners SOH Conservación and Island Conservation, the American Bird Conservancy will be removing invasive species that threaten native wildlife using innovative methods like drone-based bait distribution. They will also ensure the long-term recovery of native species, such as the Critically Endangered (CR) Alto Velo Curlytail (Leiocephalus altavelensis) and build local capacity to prevent future invasions.

Fundación CIDEAL de Cooperación e Investigación is using cutting-edge drone and sensor technology to restore degraded lands within the Sierra de Bahoruco-Massif de la Selle corridor, aiming to increase forest cover by 30%. Alongside ecological restoration, the project will strengthen the capacity of local civil society organisations (CSOs) through training in sustainable land reclamation techniques. This innovative approach offers a scalable model for restoring degraded landscapes across the country​.

Empowering local communities encouraging sustainable practices
In the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park and surrounding areas, CESAL is restoring and conserving natural resources while strengthening stewardship by local communities, including CSOs, youth groups and women’s cooperatives.  Key initiatives will include reforestation efforts, forming a community-based environmental committee, establishing nurseries for native species and reviving sustainable agriculture through a community greenhouse. 

Sustainable resource management
Fondazione AVSI is enhancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management of the Lago Enriquillo National Park by tackling infrastructure gaps and poaching. The project will also focus on restoring degraded lands and facilitate the updating of the park’s management plan using inclusive and participatory approaches to ensure that all stakeholders are actively involved in the process.

Fundación CODESPA is partnering with the Centro para la Conservación y Ecodesarrollo de la Bahía de Samaná y su Entorno (CEBSE) to implement a project that will reduce threats to the Cabo Samaná Natural Monument, which harbours several endangered species such as the Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus). The project will work closely with local communities and stakeholders to develop an inclusive management plan and encourage eco-friendly economic activities that will help preserve the natural heritage of Cabo Samaná.

These new projects are designed to complement ongoing efforts under other CEPF-funded initiatives in the Dominican Republic. “By harnessing innovative technologies, building local capacities, and fostering strong community engagement, these projects are creating lasting impacts on both the environment and local livelihoods,” said Nicole Brown, Manager of the Regional Implementation Team at CANARI.

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About CEPF: The CEPF is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, Fondation Hans Wilsdorf, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan and the World Bank. The CEPF Phase II investment (August 2021 – July 2026) in the Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot is financed through the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund – Caribbean Hotspot Project of the World Bank, using funds provided by the Government of Japan. For more information on CEPF, visit www.cepf.net. 

Click on the link below to browse our interactive map of current CEPF grants in the Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6b2618e2a26649dc8041af7f12ead197  

About CANARI: The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) is a regional technical non-profit organisation which has been working in the islands of the Caribbean for over 30 years. Our mission is to promote and facilitate stakeholder participation in the stewardship of natural resources in the Caribbean. CANARI will serve as the regional implementation team for the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund’s five-year investment in the Caribbean Islands biodiversity hotspot between 2021 and 2026. For more information about the project, visit https://canari.org/civil-society-and-governance/cepf-regional-implementation-team/.