The Ministry of Environment announced the signing of five new co-management agreements with civil society organizations and the private sector. The Ministry highlighted in making the announcement that the agreements are a crucial step to ensure the sustainable management and protection of the Bajo Yuna Mangrove National Park, Cabo Samaná Natural Monument, Salto del Limón Natural Monument, Cabo Cabrón National Park, and the Laguna Prieta Wetland Wildlife Refuge.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Environment Minister Miguel Ceara Hatton emphasized the importance of these agreements in fostering collective responsibility for safeguarding the nation’s territory and empowering citizens. He highlighted the long-term vision of these partnerships, which combine citizen empowerment, participation mechanisms, and shared responsibility for the protection of public goods.
Each co-management agreement brings together a unique consortium of stakeholders tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of each protected area. For instance, he explained that the agreement for the Bajo Yuna Mangrove National Park involves the participation of fishermen from the Bahía de San Lorenzo, the Center for Conservation and Eco-development of Samaná Bay and its Surroundings (Cebse), the Propagas Foundation, the San Pedro de Macorís Electricity Company (Energas), and The Nature Conservancy.
The protected areas covered by these agreements encompass a wealth of biodiversity and natural beauty. The Cabo Samaná Natural Monument, with its 9.50 square kilometers, is home to 183 plant species and diverse fauna, including the bobo bird and the pelican. The Salto el Limón Natural Monument, renowned for its 40-meter waterfall, shelters endemic species like the guazara and the palo de gusano. The Cabo Cabrón National Park, established in 1996, stands out for its vegetation-covered cliffs and the presence of birds such as the woodpecker and the pelican. The Bajo Yuna Mangrove National Park, encompassing 110 square kilometers of wetlands and mangroves, is crucial for species like sea turtles and various waterbirds. Finally, the Laguna Prieta Wetland Wildlife Refuge, formed by depressions from material extraction, boasts a diversity of vascular plant species, including endemic and native varieties.
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Ministry of Environment
15 July 2024