Our Work & Projects

Grand Bois National Park covers 370 ha and is a primary focus of HNT activities (see Grand Bois Fact Sheet).  It is the first nationally recognized protected area under private management in Haiti. We are collaborating closely with the government of Haiti and a local law firm to ensure that the transfer of lands to HNT is met with the highest standards possible. This project is being undertaken with the generous financial support of re:Wild. The past support of Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Rainforest Trust and Arbeiter Samariter Bund in the creation of the park is gratefully acknowledged.

Our main park management activities engage the local community of Grand Bois to protect the remaining primary forests of the park, remove invasive species and restore areas of degraded ecosystems to their former. See our work with the critically endangered Magnolia ekmanii.  HNT is also actively engaged with improving the well-being of the local community – the future of the park – by supporting sustainable agriculture in the buffer areas of the park, improving access to quality housing and education and expanding alternative sources of income. Our ultimate goal is to decrease and eliminate the threats to native forest habitats – home to a unique and irreplaceable biological diversity.

For more updates and pictures on our work, visit our instagram page!

Contribute to our efforts in Grand Bois National Park and consider a donation.

HNT’s conservation project in Bois Pangnol and Morne Gavanneau, part of the Massif de la Hotte, focuses on securing and restoring critical habitats to safeguard Haiti’s exceptional biodiversity and vital ecosystem services. In 2024, we have secured 359 hectares of land, including 92 hectares of pristine primary forests, through legal land surveys conducted by CIAT. With these titles in hand, we are now ready to begin restoration and conservation efforts.

This area is a key biodiversity hotspot, home to numerous endemic species, including the newly identified Miconia pagnolensis and rare wildlife like the Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus) and the Hispaniolan Hutia (Plagiodontia aedium). It also supports 16 frog species—four newly discovered—and 19 bird species, such as the Hispaniolan Parrot (Amazona ventralis) and the Grey-crowned Palm Tanager (Phaenicophilus poliocephalus). These forests are critical habitats for many species found nowhere else in the world, underscoring their global significance.

Future plans include establishing nurseries for native and endemic plants, engaging local workers in restoration activities, and managing invasive species. These efforts aim to advance ecological restoration while fostering sustainable livelihoods for surrounding communities and promoting long-term conservation.

Bois Pangnol stands as a pivotal initiative in protecting Haiti’s natural heritage and ensuring a sustainable future for its ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.

This project is being funded in part by the Yves Saint Laurent and Re:wild.

To help us restore Bois Pagnol and protect it’s endemic and endangered species, consider a donation.

Attalea crassispatha, locally known as Kokowòs, is the most critically endangered palm in the Americas, with fewer than 19 adult specimens capable of reproducing in the wild. Found only in three small, geographically isolated areas in Haiti, this palm is on the brink of extinction. The fruits are traditionally harvested for consumption, yet overexploitation and habitat destruction have pushed this species to the edge.

Through our conservation project, supported by Fondation Capital Bank, we aim to save this iconic species from extinction. Our team has made remarkable progress, exceeding the goal of collecting 500 seeds by gathering 843—168% of our target. These seeds, carefully harvested from 16 identified sites, are now being propagated at ORE’s nurseries in Camperrin, ensuring their survival and preparation for future reintroduction.

The project also focuses on engaging and educating local communities to foster pride and active participation in the palm’s conservation. To date, we have reached 75 individuals across various regions, raising awareness about the ecological significance of Attalea crassispatha. Collaborative efforts have included scarification experiments to improve germination rates, the establishment of partnerships for reforestation, and targeted awareness campaigns.

As of December 2024, seed germination is ongoing, with the first seedlings emerging as a beacon of hope for this species. Future activities will focus on maintaining these seedlings, expanding nursery operations, and preparing for the reintroduction of the young palms into secure, protected habitats.

This vital project highlights the power of collective action in biodiversity conservation. If you wish to contribute to the preservation of Attalea crassispatha and support Haiti’s unique natural heritage, please consider donating. Together, we can secure a future for this incredible species.

To help us protect Kokowòs, consider a donation.

We are studying other biodiversity hotspots in southwestern Haiti including the national parks of Macaya and Grande Colline, as well as the exceptional estuary and coral reefs of the Jérémie-Abricots managed resources protected area. As in all areas where we work, a participatory management approach will be used with the local community, civil society organizations and government.

Together, partnering with Haiti Ocean Project and Reef Check Haiti this teamwork will ensure the Haiti’s natural heritage for the benefit of future generations.

Please join us in conserving the natural heritage of Haiti. We’ve lost so much and we can’t afford to lose more. Now is the time to make a long-lasting difference. Donate now!