Save critical habitat for endemic species

The Sierra de Bahoruco ecosystem in the mountainous southwestern region of the Dominican Republic is the endemism center of Hispaniola Island. The habitat is home to many mammal, amphibian and bird species found nowhere else on Earth including the Critically Endangered Red-legged Robber Frog and Endangered White-fronted Quail-dove.

Despite international recognition as critical habitat for range-restricted species, the area still faces pressure from unsustainable logging and mining that cause severe habitat fragmentation, threatening to destroy the region.

In order to prevent further threats, Rainforest Trust and our local partner, Sociedad Ornitologica de la Hispaniola Conservation (SOH), are working to create the Bosque de las Nubes Private Reserve.

Support scientific research

Studies have shown that the Sierra de Bahoruco is a critical biodiversity area in the Caribbean, and continued research exemplifies its importance. Rainforest Trust recently supported a study of the area which showed that the ecosystem is home to 1,615 vascular plant species—representing 29% of the island’s total flora—as well as eight reptile and nine amphibian species, with all but one of the amphibian species being endemic. Two endemic land mammals, the Endangered Hispaniolan Solenodon and Cuvier’s Hutia, were also recorded in the proposed site.

Help restore damaged forests

The new reserve will cover 205 acres of cloud and broad-leaf forest, the first step in the larger plan to secure additional protection along the border of the neighboring protected area for endemic species.

Your donation will not only support the establishment of the Bosque de las Nubes Private Reserve and research initiatives, it will also allow our partner to collaborate with the national government to begin forest restoration.

Local communities will play a key role in creating and maintaining the reserve, which will be critical in conserving their main water sources. Our partner will also mentor local people in sustainable economic growth and livelihood opportunities, such as shade grown coffee and ecotourism. These opportunities will improve quality of life and local ecological resilience.