The Dominican Republic has emerged as a regional leader in conservation, having successfully designated 35.6% of its marine resources as protected areas, surpassing the 30×30 global conservation target. A key driver behind this success is the National Fund for the Environment and the Natural Resources, or Fondo Nacional para el Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Fondo MARENA) in Spanish, the country’s national conservation trust fund, which has played a pivotal role in channeling financial resources toward biodiversity protection.
The Role of Fondo MARENA and CBF in Achieving Conservation Goals
Fondo MARENA was specifically established, in 2000, to develop and finance projects related to the environment and natural resources for the benefit of natural communities and individuals under the national Dominican Law 64-00 to develop and finance programs and projects for the protection, conservation, research, education, restoration and sustainable use of the environment and natural resources.
Since its establishment, Fondo MARENA has been instrumental in securing and managing conservation financing. As the first environmental fund to sign a partnership with the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) in 2016, Fondo MARENA benefits from CBF’s Endowment Fund, which ensures long-term financial sustainability for conservation initiatives. Additionally, CBF provides institutional and technical capacity support, allowing Fondo MARENA to scale up its impact.
Through this partnership, Fondo MARENA has supported numerous projects across the Dominican Republic. Currently, several projects are underway, aimed at strengthening resilience against climate change and enhancing ecosystem conservation efforts.
Case Studies: Conservation in Action
One of Fondo MARENA’s flagship projects focuses on the protection of Caribbean manatees, an endangered marine species threatened by habitat destruction and human activities. Since 2018, with CBF-backed funding, Fondo MARENA has built a visitor center to promote awareness and conservation education, provided training for wildlife rangers to improve habitat protection, and conducted legal and environmental assessments to support a more effective management plan.
The Bayahibe Rose, national flower of the Dominican Republic. Photo by Tanja Lieuw
Another critical area of intervention has been the protection of the Bayahibe Rose, the Dominican Republic’s national flower and an endemic species facing severe habitat loss. A 2023 survey confirmed the species’ alarming decline, with only one female plant remaining among 22 wild specimens. In response, Fondo MARENA launched a nationwide awareness campaign, reaching 685 young conservationists through planting activities and distributing educational materials with an amplified impact to surrounding communities.
Conservation Trust Funds: A Sustainable Finance Solution
The success of Fondo MARENA underscores the importance of conservation trust funds (CTFs) in achieving long-term biodiversity protection. Unlike traditional project-based funding, CTFs provide sustainable financing models, ensuring ongoing conservation efforts beyond donor-funded initiatives. This is particularly crucial for meeting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s targets, which require sustained financial commitment.
As a regional umbrella organization, the CBF plays a key role in coordinating conservation finance mechanisms across the Caribbean, ensuring that partners like Fondo MARENA receive both funding and technical support to advance national biodiversity goals. By leveraging its endowment and programmatic funding, the CBF enables countries to secure lasting environmental and economic benefits from conservation.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Regional Commitments
With the 2030 deadline approaching, continued investment in conservation finance is critical. Fondo MARENA’s work, enabled through CBF’s support, highlights the power of strategic partnerships and innovative financial mechanisms in securing a future where biodiversity thrives. By expanding conservation trust funds and aligning with global biodiversity targets, the Caribbean region can serve as a model for sustainable conservation finance worldwide.
