CELEBRATING EARTH DAY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001313 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: DR SENV SUBJECT: CELEBRATING EARTH DAY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ¶1. Summary: In the midst of the run-up to May congressional and municipal elections, Earth Day is bringing together concerned Dominicans to celebrate the environment. Specifically in the Azua province -- located in the southwestern region of the country --citizens, more than 30 NGOs, government agencies, community associations, and U.S. Peace Corps volunteers are participating. End Summary. ¶2. U.S. Earth Day is traditionally celebrated on April 22, but this year Peace Corps Volunteer Coordinator Katherine Corwith and Associate Peace Corps Director for the Environment Alberto Rodriguez, working with Plan International, decided to have a weeklong Earth Day celebration under the central theme of "educating in values to achieve conservation." ¶3. The Earth Day Celebration kicked off in the provincial capital of Azua on Easter Sunday when a local priest delivered a homily on society's role in conserving natural resources. Activities for the week include a beach clean up of Playa de Monte Rio. The community leaders also have prepared a weeklong environment conference. Topics include forest fire prevention, economic and cultural aspects of the protected areas, river ecosystems conservation, mineral extraction, and garbage disposal and management. Students and concerned citizens were invited to express their concerns to local and regional leaders. ¶4. The event organizers have planned a grand parade on Saturday, April 22, as the final activity. Secretary of State for the Environment and Natural Resources Max Puig is expected. The parade will include a march by the Brigada Verde. Brigada Verde (the Green Brigade),a program launched by Peace Corps volunteers in 2003. is a network of youth groups. Dominican organization Alianza now manages the initiative with financial support from the United Nations. Earth Day organizers hope the parade will help raise the profile of Brigada Verde among Dominican organizations. ¶5. Peace Corps Dominican Republic first celebrated Earth Day in 1990. Every year Peace Corps selects a different region for the Earth Day celebrations to spread the message of protecting the Earth's natural resources. ¶6. Azua province is relatively unknown to foreign tourists but has attractive natural features, including limestone caves, beautiful beaches, and a waterfall known as "Vichi," which the locals consider to have medicinal properties. Azuans also rave about the therapeutic benefits of the sulfuric ponds found in the region. HERTELL