More than 3,000 students from Santo Domingo and Pedro Brand have completed the Ecoheroes 2026 environmental education camp, a five-day program organized by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Education (MINERD) through Regional 15. The initiative combined practical activities and educational experiences to strengthen environmental awareness and encourage long-term conservation habits among young people.
Students from ten schools participated in workshops, interactive activities, educational tours and immersive learning sessions covering biodiversity, water conservation, protected areas, climate change, solid waste management and the importance of preserving the Dominican Republic’s natural resources.
Hands-On Learning Beyond the Classroom
The program also introduced participants to the work carried out by the Ministry of Environment to protect the country’s ecosystems. Park rangers, forest firefighters and environmental specialists shared their daily responsibilities, giving students a firsthand look at the efforts required to conserve biodiversity and manage protected areas.
One of the camp’s highlights was a virtual reality experience presented through the KOICA-TIC Project, allowing students to explore marine ecosystems, discover the ecological value of coral reefs and better understand the environmental impact of plastic pollution in the oceans.
Educational Resources to Continue the Program
Although the camp lasted only five days, organizers emphasized that its educational impact will continue throughout the school year. Participating schools received teaching materials, including booklets and guides focused on biodiversity, water resources, climate change, solid waste and environmental citizenship, enabling teachers to integrate these topics into regular classroom instruction.
During the closing ceremony at Las Malvinas Elementary School, Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez encouraged students to become ambassadors for environmental protection by sharing what they learned with their families and communities.
“Environmental education begins in the classroom, but it truly takes shape when it transforms the way we act and interact with our surroundings. You have the opportunity to bring what you have learned to your families, your schools and your communities, inspiring others to become part of the change our country needs,” Henríquez said.
Building Long-Term Environmental Awareness
Daryelin Torres, director of Environmental Education at the Ministry, said Ecoheroes was designed as a collaborative and participatory initiative that strengthens teachers’ capacities while encouraging students to learn through engaging activities. She noted that the educational resources distributed to schools will help reinforce environmental education across different subjects.
Ecoheroes 2026 forms part of a broader collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and MINERD, working through the Vice Ministry of Technical and Pedagogical Services and Regional 15 to expand environmental education as a national priority. The initiative aims to promote greater environmental responsibility among future generations by integrating conservation into everyday learning.
In addition to classroom activities, students visited several institutions managed by the Ministry, including the National Zoo, the National Botanical Garden, the National Aquarium and the National Museum of Natural History, where they gained practical insights into the country’s biodiversity and conservation efforts.
Following the conclusion of the Santo Domingo and Pedro Brand edition, organizers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening environmental education beyond the classroom. The Ecoheroes 2026 program will continue during the first week of August in Regional 08, covering Santiago, with the goal of inspiring more students to actively protect the Dominican Republic’s natural heritage.