SAN PEDRO DE MACORÍS- Cemex Dominicana has been awarded Silver certification by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) for its outstanding work in the preservation and management of biodiversity, in its Laguna de los Cangrejos project in San Pedro de Macorís.
This recognition, valid until 2025, highlights the efforts made by the multinational since 2010 in the protection and conservation of a crucial natural resource from the Higüamo River, located within its cement operation in this province, a press release notes.
“Sustainability is one of Cemex’s strategic priorities, which is why we work on various initiatives to protect biodiversity and natural resources near our operations. This certification strengthens our commitment, and we will continue working to conserve our lagoon and the various species that live there, confident that industrial operations can be carried out in an environmentally responsible manner,” said José Antonio Cabrera, general manager for the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico cluster.
The company's strategy is based on three levels that focus on improving biodiversity in and around its quarries, including the implementation of rehabilitation plans; conservation initiatives; and the development of local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs).
The main mission of the program, which has been running since 2019 in collaboration with the Jaragua Group—a non-profit organization with biodiversity conservation plans in the Dominican Republic—is to restore and conserve the biodiversity of Laguna de los Cangrejos and the ecosystem benefits it provides. They also carry out various sanitation and cleaning campaigns to maintain the water quality of this area and protect the species.
Andrea Thomen, Project Manager at Grupo Jaragua, said, “This project has reminded us of the importance of preserving and monitoring small wetlands. Laguna de los Cangrejos continues to surprise us with its potential as a biodiversity refuge.”.
“By strengthening the management of this lagoon using science, we are also learning about best practices that should and can be replicated in other parts of the country. To date, one achievement of the project has been the synergy with the national educational campaign ‘Mangroves,’ which has allowed us to exponentially increase the reach of outreach in schools in the province of San Pedro de Macorís,” Thomen emphasized.
Within the lagoon, important species have been found that are monitored and preserved, such as the endangered cave-dove crab. The lagoon serves as a refuge for thirty-three species of birds, fifty-five different invertebrate taxa, four species of amphibians, thirteen reptiles, and fifty-five species of plants, many of which are native and endemic to the area.
The program was recognized during the Wildlife Habitat Council's annual conference this June in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
