A Thoughtful Approach to Healing Critical Watersheds

In the Dominican Republic, the landscape tells a story of contrast — one of thriving, forested mountains rich with native species and clean water, set against barren hillsides scarred by slash-and-burn farming practices. This striking disparity underscores an urgent need for reforestation, not only to restore beauty, but to bring life back to damaged ecosystems and support the communities that depend on them.  

Where the forests flourish, so too does the land and its people. 

Nowhere is this more critical than in the bustling capital of Santo Domingo — the country’s political, cultural, and economic heart — which relies heavily on the Ozama watershed. This vital water source feeds millions, yet it faces growing threats from deforestation, soil erosion, and widespread pollution. 

Yet hope grows — quite literally — through trees. When planted with care along riverbanks and degraded slopes, trees become powerful agents of transformation. 

The Arbor Day Foundation pursues intentional partnerships with people and organizations who have command, access, and relationships in communities of need, allowing for this critical work to transpire. Notably, Plant with Purpose is a global nonprofit on a mission to restore relationships between people and the planet, working with nearly 100,000 farming families in nine countries worldwide, including the Dominican Republic. Through strategic partnerships with local communities, they target areas where deforestation has been most severe.  

That includes the Ozama watershed. 

For decades, deforestation has weakened the integrity of the Ozama watershed. Regional data shows a net loss of more than 68,000 hectares, or 168,028 acres, of tree cover in the Dominican Republic between 2001 and 2020 — equating to a 2.54% decrease.  

Spanning approximately 1,500 square kilometers, or 579 miles, the Ozama watershed is deeply interconnected to the communities it flows through. And the trees that surround the watershed do more to keep the flowing water healthy and viable than people might think. Communities downstream — in this instance, the Caribbean's largest and most populous city — are directly impacted.  

When areas around water are deforested, it creates compounding challenges like erosion, increased runoff, and reduced water quality. Putting more trees in the ground provides a natural defense against all those forces that threaten watersheds, from filtering out pollutants to helping replenish groundwater. Their roots hold soil in place, reducing erosion and filtering out pollutants before they enter waterways. This not only improves water quality, but triggers a ripple effect downstream: supporting agriculture, strengthening climate resilience, and improving community health. 

As the Dominican Republic works to protect and clean its rivers, trees are not just beneficial — they’re indispensable.  

“Our mission is to come alongside farmers living in severe poverty at the intersection of environmental degradation and deforestation,” said Doug Satre, senior director of strategic partnerships at Plant with Purpose. “And to work with them to feed their families, meet short term needs, work their way out of poverty, and heal the land on which their lives depend. We help them plant trees, increase crop yields, and live with dignity and hope for a better future.” 

Plant with Purpose is focusing its efforts on smaller sub-watersheds and involving local communities in the restoration process. As a result, the organization is seeing significant improvements in both environmental and socioeconomic conditions. 

"We found that when we concentrate our effort in a sub watershed, focusing on specific communities and areas of deforestation, the impact of our work is multiplied,” says Milmer Martinez Vergera, vice president of International Programs at Plant with Purpose. “The environmental impact is more significant. It goes deeper and leads to a concentrated impact on water availability, poverty alleviation, and biodiversity.”

What makes this approach so effective is its focus on the interconnectedness of a watershed. From upstream farms to downtown Santo Domingo, the health of the entire watershed is tied together. Plant with Purpose recognizes that restoring one area of the watershed has ripple effects, benefiting the entire ecosystem downstream. As trees take root and grow, they stabilize the soil, improve water retention, and reduce runoff. These benefits extend far beyond the immediate area, improving life for everyone in the watershed.

In alignment with the Arbor Day Foundation, Plant with Purpose values scientific, data-driven intentionality in its work. By analyzing everything from ecological factors and weather patterns to the landscape's topography and socioeconomic data that reflects the needs of local communities, Plant with Purpose identifies areas where reforestation and watershed restoration efforts will have the greatest impact. Similarly, the Arbor Day Foundation has identified five priority regions where trees can do the most good. That reforestation work is based in science and data, and is taking place in regions like the Dominican Republic, where trees can significantly change the landscape and the future. 

The transformation of the Dominican Republic’s watershed requires a sustained and committed effort. While the country has made strides in environmental conservation, many rural areas still suffer from deforestation and poor agricultural practices. However, projects like those spearheaded by Plant with Purpose are showing that reforestation can be both a practical and long-term solution to these problems. 

Trees that thrive in these reforestation propel positive change forward. Notably, they help contribute to biodiversity by providing habitats for local wildlife species. Here, that means supporting everything from freshwater species, like tilapia and freshwater shrimp, to endemic bird species, like Santo Domingo’s parrot and the yellow-shouldered parrot. Beyond restoring vital ecosystems, replanting native trees also helps combat the impacts of our changing climate by sequestering carbon. Furthermore, these trees play a vital role in replenishing the water table, which helps to ensure that the watershed remains a reliable source of clean water for generations to come. 

The time is now, and the need for action is urgent. As the Dominican Republic faces the dual threats of deforestation and water contamination, trees offer a reliable path forward. With the right partnerships and a commitment to long-term stewardship, the balance of the watershed can be restored; ensuring that clean, safe water can flow through the heart of its capital, and that future generations will inherit a thriving ecosystem.