In a significant reforestation effort, the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Environment, alongside the District National Mayor's Office, recently held an event called "Ecohéroes" at the Mirador Sur Park. This initiative saw the planting of over 200 seedlings, including the endangered national tree, the caoba criolla, and the national flower, the rosa de Bayahíbe. The event symbolizes the ongoing commitment to the National Reforestation and Restoration of Forest Ecosystems Plan, aiming to plant 20 million trees by June 2025.
Minister Paíno Henríquez emphasized the importance of preserving biodiversity for sustainable development in the Dominican Republic, stating, "Without the protection of our biodiversity, we will not have water; without biodiversity, there is no tourism." The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance urban green spaces and combat environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, in Italy, the Mediterranean Life Sciences Union (MedLIFE) recently held its inaugural annual meeting at Istanbul Technical University, focusing on biodiversity in the Mediterranean region. A key presentation highlighted a pilot project for sediment management in the Fiumara Amendolea, an area rich in diverse flora and fauna, including the endangered Caretta caretta sea turtle and Egretta garzetta. This project aims to create a replicable model for sediment management across various river contexts in the Mediterranean.
Both events underline the urgent need for global cooperation in biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration, showcasing successful initiatives that can inspire similar efforts worldwide.