Fondo Sur seeks to protect water and marine ecosystems in the southwest

A new initiative seeks to establish a US$500,000 conservation fund for 2026–2027 to provide long-term financing for the protection of watersheds and marine ecosystems in the southwestern Dominican provinces of Barahona, Pedernales, Independencia and Bahoruco.

Known as the Fondo Sur, the initiative is promoted by SOH Conservación, Incatcaribe and Organea Terra, with financial support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and technical coordination from the Dominican Government.

The organizations report that their conservation efforts have already contributed to the recovery or restoration of more than 3,000 hectares in the region.

As part of these efforts, approximately 472,000 plants have been planted, agroforestry systems have been established on more than 200 hectares, and around 500 hectares have been designated as private reserves.

The fund is currently undergoing legal, institutional and financial structuring, with support from Headrick, Rizik, Álvarez & Fernández and Blue Compass Consulting.

Its proposed structure would direct resources toward protecting critical water and marine ecosystems, including mountain water sources, agricultural areas, groundwater recharge zones, wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds.

The Fondo Sur is intended to create a permanent financing mechanism for environmental conservation in one of the Dominican Republic’s most important regions for water resources, agriculture and tourism.