News

Founded on a fervent mission of preserving and protecting Haiti’s environment, Haiti National Trust (HNT) is an organization dedicated to safeguarding the natural wealth of this island nation. Its commitment to protecting Haiti’s biodiversity is unwavering, ranging from identifying biodiversity hotspots in need of increased protection to establishing and managing protected areas and national parks. Working closely with local communities and the government, HNT aims for the sustainable preservation of high biodiversity areas. The fight against deforestation lies at the heart of HNT’s efforts, with the organization committed to restoring and preserving biodiversity through reforestation with native and endemic species....

We are thrilled to share great news for nature lovers and environmentalists worldwide! Despite facing significant challenges due to the current conditions in Haiti, the Klima II project for Grand Bois National Park has finally received approval! This three-year project, worth 2 million euros, is set to be a game-changer for Haiti’s efforts to fight climate change. The Klima II project is a continuation of a project financed by Re:wild. Its aim is to “strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and communities at risk from climate change in the South of Haiti.” The project will be spearheaded by three organizations: Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund...

During a recent visit to our restoration sites in Grand Bois National Park, we had the pleasure of hearing the unique calls of two endemic frog species, including the Hispaniola Green Treefrog (Boana heilprini) and the Spiny Giant Frog (Eleutherodactylus nortoni). It was not unexpected, yet incredibly exciting to confirm the presence of these species, both of which are listed on the IUCN red list. The Hispaniola Green Treefrog is considered vulnerable, while the Spiny Giant Frog is critically endangered. These two species serve as important indicators of a thriving ecosystem, and we are delighted that our tireless efforts to...

Haiti National Trust is partnering with LEMU to empower people to act on behalf of nature. During the past year, Haiti National Trust (HNT) has been working with LEMU to help raise funds to manage our rainforest nature reserve in Grand Bois, Haiti.  Grand Bois is located in the middle of the Caribbean where HNT is pioneering the approach that LEMU developed. We are excited to be part of this global effort to “protect 1% of the Earth in 10 years”.  It will take us all to do this and Grand Bois, Haiti is part of the solution!  Please consider...

Anderson Jean, who served for three years as the field biological survey coordinator with SociétéAudubon Haiti (SAH), a sister organization of Haiti National Trust wins 2022 Stanford Bright Award!Anderson came along on most of the expeditions that led to the creation of Haiti National Trust. “[…] Haiti’s native species are gravely threatened in part by habitat loss due to widespreaddeforestation, which dates to the colonial era when land was cleared for the coffee, sugar, andtimber industries, but has continued in recent decades. One study estimates that less than 1% ofHaiti’s original primary forest remains intact.“There is much value in what endures, as well...

Haiti is in profound crisis again. The Caribbean nation, occupying the western third of the island of Hispaniola is suffering from an escalating bout of political instability, following the assassination of Prime Minister Jovenel Moïse in 2021; just last month, another prominent politician, Eric Jean Baptiste, was shot dead. Add to that an expanding cholera outbreak and violent gangs blockading so many streets that the current government of Ariel Henry, the acting president and PM, is pleading for international intervention to help reopen vital supply routes to the impoverished populace. All this in a nation facing down formidable environmental crises,...

In a moment in history for Haiti marred by social and political upheaval and sustained environmental disasters, Re:wild partner Haiti National Trust (HNT) is highlighting a small win that has been helping bring some stability and hope to local communities in and around Grand Bois National Park. To combat deforestation in the park and with the help of hired community members, HNT has planted over 30,000 seedlings and plant cuttings in the last five months, already nearing their original goal of 50,000 planted this year and exceeding original expectations. Read the full article from Rewild and the blog about Hope and healing in...

As part of a grant initiated in October 2020, the German aid organization Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) is supporting the efforts of Haiti National Trust (HNT) to protect the forests, biodiversity, and livelihoods of the residents on Grand Bois mountain in southwestern Haiti. We are working alongside the Haitian non-governmental organization FEODITI (Federation of Development Organizations of Tiburon). Our efforts are mostly above 1000 meters elevation in Grand Bois National Park, and in the nearby village of Sevré on the Tiburon River. Our work in Grand Bois National Park involves forest restoration using native trees of the region. First, we remove invasive...