Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversite Marine (FoProBiM)

Founded in 1992 FoProBiM is an apolitical, non-governmental, non-profit organization headquartered in Haiti and was officially recognized by the Haitian government in 1995 as a foundation working on environmental issues in the areas of sustainable development, education, research, monitoring, and advocacy. As one of Haiti’s oldest environmental organizations, and one of the very few with a 100% full-time dedicated staff, FoProBiM’s mission includes: (i) raising awareness concerning needed changes in regulations and attitudes; (ii) increasing knowledge and capabilities at the government, community and individual levels in order to make sustainable improvements in the environment and the lives of people, and; (iii) conducting educational programs as well as scientific research, including environmental monitoring, in order to promote improved management of the environment in general, and of coastal and marine biodiversity in particular, through a better understanding of the need to sustainably use environmental resources.

FoProBiM remains the only Haitian operated and Haiti-based NGO dedicated to the protection and management of Haiti’s coastal and marine ecosystems and adjacent watersheds. In its ongoing efforts to monitor and protect the environment, and coastal and marine biodiversity, in particular, FoProBiM works with watershed and coastal area inhabitants including women’s groups, youth, farmers, fishers, and those making use of environmental resources through a wide variety of sectors such as tourism, fuel production, transportation, marketing, processing, etc. Currently, FoProBiM is capable of providing various types of project expertise including design, management, and execution in the fields of education, advocacy, scientific, and technical training and support.

FoProBiM is Haiti’s only IUCN member and the National Focal Point in Haïti for IUCN – The World Conservation Union (World Commission on Protected Areas, Marine; Commission on Ecosystem Management); the International Coral Reefs Initiative (ICRI); WIDECAST; and the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) among many others. It has also acted as a primary consultant for coastal and marine resources in the preparation of Haiti’s national environmental action plan (NEAP) and undertaken a wide variety of projects for institutions as varied as the IDB, UNEP, UNDP, OAS, Whitley Fund for Nature, the Haitian Ministry of Environment, The Nature Conservancy, and the US Departments of Agriculture (IITF – International Institute of Tropical Forestry), State, Commerce (NOAA: NMFS, CCFHR, OIA), and Interior (USFWS) to name but a few.

FoProBiM is the only institution in Haiti undertaking lower watershed/coastal and marine environmental education and research activities which has included engaging hoteliers and coastal communities in nature-based tourism activities in order to help preserve biodiversity and create sustainable incomes. It is expanding its marine turtle and mangrove reforestation/rehabilitation conservation activities and has been trying to fill the “Haiti gap” of information related to environmental issues for institutions such as WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Marine Turtle Conservation Network) and the IUCN.  FoProBiM engages in activities nation-wide and the data gathered informs its various other activities in order to increase awareness in regard to the protection of biodiversity by linking protection with sustainable livelihoods throughout the country.

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