Sen. Pichardo honors members of the Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island

STATE HOUSE – Drawing attention to the water crisis in the Dominican Republic, Sen.
Juan M. Pichardo (D – Dist. 2, Providence) welcomed the members of the Nature
Conservancy of Rhode Island to the State House Thursday.
That same day, the Senate passed a resolution (2016-S
2665)
introduced by Senator Pichardo proclaiming March 3 Nature Conservancy Day in Rhode
Island. Joining Senator Pichardo at a reception in the State Room were Nature
Conservancy Trustee Victor Capellan (the superintendent of Schools in Central Falls)
and State Director Terry Sullivan.
«By proclaiming Nature Conservancy Day in Rhode Island, it signifies that they are
doing great work here in Rhode Island and around the world,» said Senator Pichardo.
«More awareness and education is needed in the U.S and abroad to involve the masses
on such an important issue. Many Caribbean nations, including the Dominican
Republic, are suffering with a very limited supply of fresh water. The Nature
Conservancy has been working very hard to conserve water on the island through the
use of water funds and the tools at its disposal. This is an ongoing success story
for the Dominican Republic, and it wouldn’t be happening without the efforts of the
Nature Conservancy.»
In 2013, two funds were established in the Dominican Republic, one of which supports
the nation’s watersheds and another that focuses on the largest river system in the
country, the Yaque del Norte. The resultant benefits of these two funds have
provided 60 percent of the country’s population with fresh water.
The featured guest speaker at the event was Francisco Nunez Henriquez, director of
the Nature Conservancy in the Dominican Republic. As Conservation Science Director
for the Conservancy’s Central Caribbean Program he oversees the conservation science
work in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico and Cuba.
«This joint focus here in the U.S and the Caribbean is important and I am committed
to reaching out and work together to secure a vital resource for todays’ children
and the future,» said Senator Pichardo.
The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island’s goal «is to protect the natural character
of our beautiful state.» Efforts include protecting land and freshwater, restoring
healthy coastal waters, the restoration of oyster reefs and fishing habitats, and
encouraging the citizens of the state to explore and enjoy the «wonders of nature.»