TUI Forest Dominican Republic

Mangrove forests grow in areas where water meets land and form a vital part of the marine ecosystem. Their thick roots help to stabilise the coastline and prevent erosion and they’re home to many species of fish, making them an essential source of food to local communities. Crucially, they also absorb carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, stopping these harmful pollutants being released into the earth’s atmosphere.

Yet mangroves are one of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide and over the past five decades, 50% of the world’s mangrove surface cover has been lost.

In the Dominican Republic, 20% of the population are living in extreme poverty and 80% live on the coast. But mangrove conservation provides many benefits which help these coastal communities.

TUI Forest Dominican Republic is restoring over 200 hectares of mangrove forests and protecting an area of over 92,000 hectares in the north-eastern part of the country. It is also creating economic opportunities by providing a strong link to the vibrant tourism sector on the island.

The TUI Care Foundation, the German NGO Global Nature Fund (GNF) and the Dominican NGO Center for the Conservation and Eco-Development of the Bay of Samaná and its Surroundings (CEBSE) are working together to protect precious mangrove forests in the Manglares del Bajo Yuna National Park. The project area is the National Park and the city of Sanchez, which is in the province of Samaná, in the north-east of the Dominican Republic.

In the first phase of the project, over 100 hectares of mangrove forests were restored. One existing tree nursery was re-established and another built from scratch, each with the capacity to produce 40,000 seedlings to be planted in the surrounding forests. In total throughout the first phase of the project, over 3.2 million mangroves and Dragonsblood Trees (Pterocarpus officinalis) were planted in the area. Economic opportunities for people in adjacent communities were also created using the park’s ecosystem services, such as the development of walking tours and kayaking trails that pass through the mangroves.

In the current second stage of the TUI Forest Dominican Republic, an additional 100 hectares of mangrove forest will be restored within an area of over 92 thousand hectares that will be protected.

The project will also include further involvement with the local community - 12 reforestation events will be organised with local schools and 22 nature guides will be trained to lead nature-based experiences for over 2000 visitors. A mangrove adoption programme will also be introduced to gain support from the private sector and tourists. The programme is expected to unlock opportunities in tourism for entrepreneurs through beekeeping initiatives, local fishing tours other business opportunities, creating over 60 jobs.

TUI Forest Dominican Republic

PROJECT PARTNERS

About Global Nature Fund

Global Nature Fund was founded in 1998 with the mission to safe the worlds lakes and wetlands. With Living Lakes, a network of over 125 grass root organizations in more than 50 countries worldwide, GNF fosters technology and knowledge transfer and implements projects within various programs with partners worldwide. The GNF launched the mangrove restoration programme in 2005 as a post tsunami activity, which includes six countries in Southeast Asia. Recently, the activities expand to West Africa and the Caribbean. GNF mangrove restoration projects encompass community development aspects, as this proved to be the most effective approach. Biodiversity & Tourism is another focus in order to manage impact on lakes and wetlands. GNF implements approaches and tools developed four continents. GNF finances the activities by long term cooperation with other foundations, corporates, private and public donors and Europe and beyond. GNF is based in Southern Germany, next to Lake Constance.

About CEBSE

Centro para la Conservación y Eco-Desarrollo de la Bahía de Samaná y su Entorno, CEBSE, is a Dominican, legally recognised, non-profit organisation with headquarters in Santa Barbara de Samaná. Since 1991, CEBSE works closely with Dominican authorities and is closely connected with national, regional and international conservation associations. The main area of work is located in the north of the Dominican Republic and includes the Samaná Peninsula, the Bay of Samaná, the Los Haitises National Park and parts of the Sabana de la Mar-Miches coastal plain. CEBSE's mission statement is to promote sustainable development with the active participation of social and economic actors, as well as the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources. CEBSE has recognized expertise and many years of experience in working with international and national project partners as well as private and public donors.

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