"Ridge to Reef": Conserving Biodiversity in the Monte Cristi National Park

Counterpart International (Counterpart) is working in the Monte Cristi National Park to conserve the native biodiversity. This project fuses a conservation and development strategy by combining sustainable agriculture, fisheries and other market-driven activities to benefit the local communities of the sea-side park located near the border of Haiti in the Dominican Republic. 
 
The project includes creating an alliance among the stakeholders within the Park's boundaries and buffer zones, including farmers, agricultural and fisher cooperatives, conservation organizations, government farm and rural development agencies and businesses. This alliance will help design and implement activities that reduce agricultural and marine pollution that may harm the coral reef. These activities will also focus on maintaining and increasing economic profitability of farm enterprises. 
 
Since the project's focus is to respect the environment while benefiting the local communities, Counterpart will also review and promote sustainable fishing practices. Based on international best practices, Counterpart proposes the best practices for small-scale fisheries to increase productivity. These practices will also improve the marketing of the local fishers' products to retailers and food service.

To learn more about Counterpart's Ridge to Reef Project in the Dominican Republic, please read the following feature story:

"Ridge to Reef" Approach Conserves DR Biodiversity

Photo: © Counterpart International.