Peace Corps Dominican Republic

1. Peace Corps Dominican Republic Environmental Awareness Education

2. FACTORS (Why) In 1987, the Ministry of Education approached Peace Corps seeking to obtain technical assistance in the implementation of teachers training programs in environmental education. Environmental education has not traditionally received priority attention by educational authorities. In the past, teachers were not trained in environmental topics, and authorities were reluctant to modify curricula. The newly formed Ministry of Environment established August 2000, integrated over ten Government organizations that were previously addressing the same issue, and created the national directorate for environmental education, responsible for the coordination and delivery of all government efforts and initiatives related to environmental education. PARTNERS (With Whom?) Secretary of Education Secretary of Environment Local NGOs Local Community Based Organizations How was the Project Developed ?

3. Snapshot View of Environmental AwarenessEducation in the DR • The general population of the Dominican Republic lacks basic environmental consciousness preventing them from interacting with the environment and sustainably maintaining an adequate level of environmental quality. As a result, there has been a depletion of natural resources caused by subsistence farming which has resulted in: disappearance of species due to habitat destruction, a high rate of deforestation and increased soil erosion. Lack of environmental consciousness also leads to over fishing, and poor urban sanitary conditions including open dump sites. Other major problems affecting the environmental condition of the country include: land degradation, destruction of marine and coastal ecosystems, and environmental pollution. Furthermore, the urbanization of the Dominican Republic during the past 25 years has led to a lack of proper waste disposal facilities and pollution due to unregulated emission standards.

4. Environmental AwarenessEducation PROJECT PLAN

5. Project Purpose To increase environmental awareness among Dominicans of all sectors of the population in regard to appreciation of the environment and a rational use of natural resources.

6. Project Goals • GOAL #1: Promote Community Eco-Friendly Social Entrepreneurship • GOAL #2: Strengthen the capacity of teachers and schools

7. GOAL #1:Local promoters will develop and implement eco-friendly tourism practices in tourist destinations of the Dominican Republic. • Objective 1:By the end of FY2006, 25 PCVs will train 250 local men, women and youth in eco-tourism practices (guides, local micro business associated with tourists i.e. food, T-shirts, and local goodies to be sold to tourists). • Objective 2:By the end FY2006, 25 PCVs will carry out eco-friendly development activities with 250 youth and community members especially around protected areas, such as ecology clubs, eco-summer camps, environmental awareness campaigns, and eco-friendly stove construction.

8. GOAL #2:Teachers will improve their teaching skills by integrating environmental education topics into their curriculum . • Objective 1:By the end of FY2006, 27 PCVs and project partners will train 270 school-teachers in Environmental Education methodology and themes. • Objective 2:By the end of FY2006, EAE 56 PCVs will train 560 school-teachers and students in hands-on Environmental Education activities to reinforce themes covered in class (i.e. garbage pick up campaigns, school gardens, compost piling, trash can distribution, etc.).

9. Typical Volunteer Cycle • Pre-Service Training (12 weeks including CBT) • Months 0-3: Community Diagnostic and Relation Building • 3 Month IST: Diagnostic Report and Start the 1st Year Project Planning Process • Months 3-12: Complete Project Plan, Implement, and Monitor project • 12 Month IST: Evaluate 1st year progress and Plan 2nd Year • Months 12-24: Reformulate, Implement, Monitor, and Evaluate project • Months 21-24: Begin transition process • Pre, 3, 12 month Site Visits • Close of Service Conference

10. Top Ten Activities in the Environmental AwarenessEducation Project • Environmental Education Teacher Training and Preparation of Didactic Materials • Trash Clean-Up Activities, Awareness, and Waste-Management • Environmental Summer Camps • Map and Environment Education Murals • Organic School Gardens and Weather Stations • Community Based Eco-Tourism Groups • Environmental Youth Groups and Science Clubs • Environmental Friendly Small Businesses (Bakery, Ceramic Stoves, Artisans) • Ceramic Stoves, Potable Water and Community Environmental-Health Projects • Tree Nursery Management and Reforestation

11. Success Story: Ryan Reid Ryan Reid (2002-Present). Ryan worked for two years as an Environment Volunteer in the southern province of Barahona in the coastal community of San Rafael, Municipality of Paraíso. Ryan provided technical assistance to a group of small coffee growers by helping them restore their plantations, which had been severely damaged by hurricane Georges in 1998. During this process Ryan discovered that many of the community consisted of disenfranchised Haitians immigrants. He facilitated a process of communication and leadership development allowing the Haitian community to become project beneficiaries as well. Ryan also worked on developing eco-tourism in the Southwest region with the Sociedad Ecológica de Paraíso (SOEPA). He helped SOEPA through institutional strengthening by teaching them how to develop plans and follow up with monitoring and evaluation tools. Together Ryan and SOEPA expanded their ecotourism project and built a visitor’s eco-center perched on the top hill of a unique cloud forest ecosystem. Ryan helped design an interpretive trail around the visitor center with the participation of the local youths. Ryan is a pioneer of Peace Corps’ EAE second goal to develop eco-friendly businesses. He created a core tour center in Paraíso that will direct tourists to volunteer assisted eco-tourism sites throughout the country. Ryan is now the PCV Leader for the Environment Project.

12. Project Impact Snapshot • 345 teachers and students in 46 schools and CBO's educated and trained on environmental issues • 35 teachers trained in facilitating environmental education courses • 9,500 youth and adults engaged in environmental clean-up and/or protection projects • Creation of ecological summer camps for youth • Dissemination and construction of improved ceramic stoves for energy conservation • Creation of numerous community gardens, worm bins, • Promotion of trash clean-ups and eco-tourism

13. Being a Volunteer is… • A Unique Experience • A Challenging Experience • A Growing Experience • A Sharing Experience • An Unforgettable Experience • IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU DECIDE IT WILL BE!

14. Peace Corps Dominican Republic Are you ready for the challenge? Welcome to the Environmental Awareness Education Project