The Dominican Republic is a country rich in natural resources, with an exceptionally high rate of endemism in flora and fauna. Roughly one-third of the biological species on the island cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Many of these unique plants and animals are only present in limited numbers or in very restricted ranges, which accounts for their extreme vulnerability. As a result, the country suffers from high rates of potential biodiversity loss with at least 10% of all species in danger of extinction.
Historically, major environmental problems in the Dominican Republic have stemmed from rapid urbanization and economic growth. The country’s infrastructure has been incapable of supporting the level of rural to urban migration, and as a result, water resource management and solid waste collection and disposal are among the country’s most pressing environmental concerns. Water scarcity has become a serious problem in urban areas and areas with a high level of tourism due to greater demand for water. Intensive farming practices, tourism, mining and industry have all placed a burden on the environment, resulting in large-scale loss of habitat, deforestation and contamination of fragile forest, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Coastal ecosystems are particularly vulnerable due to large tourist populations, poor enforcement of existing regulations, and the impacts of hotel construction and infrastructure.
Over the past two decades, the Dominican Republic has dramatically expanded its protected area network as well as improved upon its biodiversity and natural resource laws and institutions. The approval of the General Environment and Natural Resources Law No. 64-00 in August 2000 initiated a new phase concerning the use and preservation of the environment and natural resources in the Dominican Republic. The law, the product of consensus between both public and private sector institutions, led to the creation of the Dominican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARN) and defined the National System of Protected Areas, comprised of 70 conservation areas classified under 11 categories and subcategories.
The General Law of the Environment and Natural Resources represents a firm commitment from the government toward greater environmental protection and created for the first time in the country a vision of integrated environmental management. While the enactment of this law signifies great strides in terms of prioritizing environmental conservation and management at a national level, much work remains to be done in terms of successfully fulfilling these objectives. Present challenges that require further attention include: management and enforcement of environmental laws within protected areas; unregulated development; underfunding; need for increased research and education; need to clearly define the geographical boundaries of protected areas; and need for greater community involvement.
InteRDom provides students interested in environmental issues with internship opportunities with public and non-profit organizations that conduct work related to: biodiversity, environmental education, disaster prevention and relief, policy creation, national park management, forestry, water quality improvement, alternative energy, contamination, sustainable development and community development.
Open Positions
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Implementation and expansion of projects and programs related to the production of honey and its derivatives.
Position Open for students of International business, industrial engineering, agriculture, marketing or related areas Read more about this opportunity
Start and End Dates : To Be Determined
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Steps to apply
1 – Register! Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.
2 - If you have already registered, fill out the application form and attach your resume. Resumes must be in word or pdf format.
