Lake Enriquillo: a unique ecosystem under threat
In the mountains of southwestern Dominican Republic, between Independencia and Bahoruco provinces, lies Lake Enriquillo National Park, home to the largest saltwater lake in the Caribbean. Its waters, 40 meters below sea level, change color with the seasons and host extraordinary biodiversity: iguanas basking on rocks, American crocodiles nesting among shrubs, and migratory birds gliding across its surface. “It’s a unique lake for its endemic species, salinity, and the three islands it contains: Cabritos, Barbarita, and Islita,” says Miguel Méndez Nova, Park Director.
This ecosystem, part of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve and recognized as a Ramsar wetland of international importance, is also home to communities that have relied on its resources for generations. In one of the country’s poorest regions, families face the challenge of balancing agriculture with the protection of natural resources that sustain their future. Today, Lake Enriquillo and its biodiversity are threatened by climate change, farming practices, and pollution.
The project: conservation and sustainable development
To address these challenges, AVSI, in partnership with SOH Conservación and supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), launched the project “Action for the Conservation and Protection of the Biodiversity of Lake Enriquillo National Park.” The initiative aims to protect biodiversity and improve local livelihoods through three complementary actions:
- Updating the Park Management Plan, last revised in 2012, with a participatory process involving the Ministry of Environment and local communities.
- Environmental protection and sustainable economic activities, including community-based ecotourism in La Descubierta, where local guides lead visitors through the park. In the first half of 2025 alone, the park welcomed over 6,500 visitors.
- Reforestation, introducing sustainable agroforestry systems. On October 22, 2025, the first reforestation day planted 3,000 timber trees alongside coffee and banana crops in El Maniel, Independencia province.
A participatory model
AVSI promotes a community-driven conservation model, where local organizations like CIEPO lead environmental awareness and park stewardship, while cooperatives such as COOPROCASINE implement agroforestry systems that restore soils and generate income without depleting natural resources.
Looking ahead
By the end of 2026, AVSI and its partners aim to restore 300 hectares of land and produce over 700,000 plants, strengthening ecosystem resilience and sustainable livelihoods. Protecting Lake Enriquillo is a shared responsibility, and AVSI remains committed to supporting this process with a long-term vision based on participation and co-responsibility.
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