Strengthening Coastal Communities Through Mangrove Conservation
From late September to early December 2025, EcoSoluciones RD and the Centro de Innovación Atabey carried out a series of community workshops across Puerto Plata and Montecristi, educating over 250 participants on mangrove conservation, coastal protection, and the importance of blue carbon.
Empowering Communities Through Environmental Education
Between late September and early December 2025, EcoSoluciones RD, Global Coralition’s operational hub in the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with the Centro de Innovación Atabey, led a multi-month series of community workshops focused on mangrove conservation, coastal ecosystem protection, and blue carbon awareness.
The initiative reached communities across the provinces of Puerto Plata and Montecristi, strengthening local knowledge and empowering residents to take an active role in protecting their coastal environments.
Workshop Objectives
The overarching goal of the program was to build environmental awareness in coastal communities, specifically:
Highlighting the importance of mangroves as natural barriers against erosion and storms.
Demonstrating the value of native coastal plants and their role in ecological balance.
Introducing the concept of blue carbon and its connection to climate resilience and carbon credits.
Encouraging community engagement, dialogue, and shared responsibility for ecosystem protection.
Methodology
Each workshop lasted approximately two hours and included:
Educational presentations
Community dialogues, Q&A sessions, and guided reflections
Interactive participation spaces
Closing with lunch or snacks, depending on the locality
This structure fostered both learning and community bonding.
Workshop Overview by Community
Cabarete
Date: September 25, 2025
Location: Escuela Profesor Manuel Polanco
Participants: 20
Audience: 6th grade students, parents’ association, community groups
Sabaneta de Yásica
Date: September 28, 2025
Location: Ayuntamiento Municipal
Participants: 50
Audience: Students + representatives from government institutions and local organizations
Estero Hondo
Date: October 30, 2025 (morning)
Location: Ayuntamiento Municipal
Participants: 45
Audience: Students, associations of fishers and farmers, firefighters, local authorities, Politur, Ministry of Environment
Villa Isabela
Date: October 30, 2025 (afternoon)
Location: Ayuntamiento Municipal
Participants: 15
Audience: Community members
Luperón
Date: October 31, 2025
Location: Ayuntamiento Municipal
Participants: 50
Audience: Students, community groups, firefighters, environmental authorities, municipal staff
Maimón
Date: November 7, 2025
Location: Ayuntamiento Municipal
Participants: 55
Audience: Community members, students, neighborhood associations, municipal and environmental authorities
Puerto Plata
Date: December 4, 2025
Location: Casa de la Cultura
Participants: 15
Audience: Community members and institutional representatives
Outcomes and Impact
Across all workshops, the program reached 250 participants, including students, community leaders, environmental authorities, educators, and local institutions.
The initiative strengthened understanding of:
Mangroves as essential blue carbon ecosystems
Their importance as natural coastal defenses
Their role as biodiversity hotspots
The connection between healthy ecosystems and community well-being
The high level of participation demonstrated a growing interest in sustainable practices and in protecting the coastal ecosystems of northern Dominican Republic.
A Growing Alliance for Coastal Protection
This workshop series highlights the power of collaboration between EcoSoluciones RD and the Centro de Innovación Atabey. Together, we are building environmental awareness from the ground up, equipping communities with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for their ecosystems.
Every conversation, every question, and every participant represents a step toward stronger, more resilient coastal communities—united in their commitment to protect nature today and for future generations.