On the Frontlines: Championing Caribbean Biodiversity

From the Dominican Republic in the north, to the islands of the Eastern Caribbean in the East, the Caribbean is a globally celebrated biodiversity hotspot. Its coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and tropical rainforests support unique fauna and protect communities from tropical storms and coastal erosion. These ecosystems are not just natural wonders—they are lifelines, sustaining local economies, providing food, and creating jobs.

However, the Caribbean’s extraordinary biodiversity is under siege. Threatened by unsustainable land use, deforestation, and the accelerating impacts of climate change, the region faces an urgent crisis of biodiversity loss. Addressing these challenges requires local solutions and collective action, as highlighted by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund - Caribbean Hotspot Project (CEPF).

The CEPF is a US$ 13.9 million recipient executed trust-funded intervention, through which the Bank supports civil society organizations active in biodiversity conservation. Through grants and capacity-building programs, these organizations are tackling biodiversity loss head-on, demonstrating the power of community-led conservation efforts. Grants are issued based on a call for proposals from CSOs working in 32 key biodiversity areas covering 7 Caribbean countries - Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Vincent and Grenadines.

The project is implemented through CEPF Secretariat, housed in Conservation International, with strong support from Caribbean Natural Resources Institute which acts as Regional Implementing Entity. The initiative’s regional approach to conservation efforts delivers scalable projects replicable across the Caribbean, which provides a much higher impact.

The project exemplifies the power of community-led conservation, demonstrating that with collective action and local solutions, the region can combat biodiversity loss and ensure a sustainable future for its unique ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

Protecting Jamaica’s Cockpit Country - A Key Biodiversity Area:

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is working to improve the management of the Cockpit Country Key Biodiversity Area, home to Jamaica’s largest rainforest. To address the lack of localized climate impact studies, JET partnered with the University of West Indies to assess climate change effects on biodiversity and agriculture. They translated scientific data into accessible materials for community education and, with local groups, developed a vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan. A locally driven, contextual and practical vulnerability assessment plan was developed in collaboration with the Southeast Cockpit Country Local Forest Management to help communities improve livelihoods and maintain biodiversity.

500 - Ridgway's Hawks remaining

Only 500 Ridgway’s Hawks remain in the wild, making it one of the world’s most critically endangered raptors. Habitat loss and human threats put them at risk of extinction. With support from the World Bank and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, The Peregrine Fund and Fondo Peregrino launched a 10-year conservation plan, now managing 125–150 pairs in Los Haitises National Park in the Dominican Republic.

From 50 to 1200: Rewilding the Antiguan Racer:

The Bank supports the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) in Antigua and Barbuda which has significantly increased the critically endangered Antiguan Racer population from 50 to over 1200 through rewilding efforts. In 2023, EAG conducted a new census to update data on the snake's population dynamics, involving over 30 volunteers in extensive wildlife data collection. The findings will inform a long-term conservation action plan to protect the species.

40 women in the Dominica Republic trained in sustainable beekeeping practices

Supported by Fondazione AVSI and the World Bank’s Caribbean Hotspot Project, sustainable practices were introduced to the successful beekeeping business of the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, in the Dominican Republic. 40 women were trained in beekeeping and preservation of key flora species, resulting in the planting of 10 hectares of native trees. With new equipment, they aim to scale up production and implement a "payments for ecosystem services" scheme, blending conservation with economic growth.

34,725 coffee tree seedlings planted on over 30 hectares in Dominican Republic:

In the Dominican Republic, SOH Conservación supports local farmers in producing shade-grown coffee, which is highly valued for its quality and offers higher income opportunities. Over 56 farmers have been trained in in organic agriculture, agroforestry, and the Smithsonian Bird Friendly® program, a certification developed by scientists to preserve habitats and protect migratory songbirds. This has resulted in the plantation of 34,725 tree seedlings on over 30 hectares, resulting in Bird Friendly® certification for locally produced Bahoruco coffee. This has led to coffee exports to Japan, the EU, and the US. The organization has also developed an ecotourism business and promotion plan, upgraded hiking trails and campgrounds, repaired an observation post for bird tourism and trained 12 young adults from local communities to be certified as official tour guides.

6 communities along the Central Mountain Range embraced conservation risk mapping:

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, six communities have adopted climate and conservation risk mapping to protect their ecosystems. Led by JEMS, a voluntary community organization, the project utilizes innovative approaches to climate mapping and conservation efforts to build resilience. This initiative, supported by CEPF, helped communities prepare for Hurricane Beryl and established a National Association of Climate Change Organizations uniting 12 community-based organizations for emergency response.

Under this project, Re:wild is implementing technical conservation action in 5 Caribbean islands. This includes for priority species including the Jamaican Blackbird, Antiguan Racer, Bahamian Oriole, Saint Lucia Whiptail, Bahamian Rock Iguana andThe Whistling Frog in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These efforts include workshops, field surveys, capacity building of partner organizations and cross-island collaboration. Additionally, Re:wild is fostering knowledge exchange through initiatives like the Conservation Call to Action webinar series, which has led to the creation of the Caribbean Species Conservation Action Network to advance biodiversity protection.

Protecting Jamaica’s Cockpit Country - A Key Biodiversity Area:

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is working to improve the management of the Cockpit Country Key Biodiversity Area, home to Jamaica’s largest rainforest. To address the lack of localized climate impact studies, JET partnered with the University of West Indies to assess climate change effects on biodiversity and agriculture. They translated scientific data into accessible materials for community education and, with local groups, developed a vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan. A locally driven, contextual and practical vulnerability assessment plan was developed in collaboration with the Southeast Cockpit Country Local Forest Management to help communities improve livelihoods and maintain biodiversity.

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund - Caribbean Hotspot Project exemplifies the power of community-led conservation, demonstrating that with collective action and local solutions, the region can combat biodiversity loss and ensure a sustainable future for its unique ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

The Critical Hotspot project remains an essential feature in the Bank's efforts for mainatining the ecological balance of Caribbean biodiversity and ensuring the well-being of both the environment and the communities that rely on it. The World Bank acknowledges the crucial role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in this endeavor which have provided localized and sustainable interventions in particular areas. This collaboration between the World Bank and regional CSOs highlights the importance of partnerships in achieving long-term conservation goals and underscores the collective responsibility in safeguarding the planet's biodiversity.

Related Videos