Interpretive Challenges in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

This article addresses the challenges facing many developing countries in establishing and maintaining a comprehensive natural resource management policy when environmental conservation takes a back seat to agricultural production. The Department of National Parks in the Dominican Republic is working to meet the challenge and provide a program of environmental interpretation and education. Their efforts show that sustainable development may be achieved through well-conceived interpretive and environmental learning strategies. Suggestions are provided on the development of an interpretive approach to achieve ecologically sound management objectives.