Privacy policy

Cookie policy

Terms

Whistleblowing

Milkywire logo

Our platform

Platform

/platform

Climate transformation fund

Forests and landscapes

Ocean and seas

Wildlife

Impact funds

Articles

Frequently asked questions

Internal carbon fee

Knowledge

Work with us

Contact us

Company

NavBar Instagram

Footer Linkedin

NavBar Facebook

NavBar youtube

Support the UN Sustainable Development Goals by donating directly to trusted grassroots organizations worldwide. See how your support makes a difference through updates directly from the people in the field. Every donation counts.

Milkywire – Donate now to protect our planet

Milkywire Social Image

Milkywire – Donate now to protect our planet 

Milkywire offers funds within nature, climate and biodiversity

Our funds

Pioneering projects designed to solve the climate crisis

Climate transformation

Support locally rooted organizations working to save oceans and seas

Oceans and seas

Help our impacters restore forests and landscapes

Join the fight for our wildlife and biodiversity, from bees to elephants

News & Articles

https://www.milkywire.com/articles

Contact

/contact

Impact Portal - Follow your impact and contributions

Corporate partner

Impacter tools - Submit reports and content

Impact partner or organization

Your dashboard - Administer your personal donations

Individual donor

Login

Whitley Award logo

Whitley Gold Award 2014

Whitley Award 2008

Rolex Awards for Innovation - Finalist, 2019

Rolex

Risk Awards – Top 10 Best Project Proposals 2019

Risk 

Knighthood in the Order of Agricultural Merit (Chevalier dans l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole) – Republic of France, 2018. Awarded to Jean Wiener. 

Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole

Knighthood in the Order of Agricultural Merit – Republic of France, 2018

Special Project Recognition, French Embassy, Haiti, 2017. Awarded to Jean Wiener. 

Special Project Recognition, French Embassy, Haiti, 2017

sc-logo-green

Sierra Club  Ocean Hero, 2016

california academy of science

California Academy of Sciences - Conservation Hero 2016

Jean Wiener was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize Recipient (Islands and Island Nations) in 2015.


GEP-Logo-Primary

Goldman Environmental Prize Recipient 2015

Erick Eckman Award for Environmental Excellence (1st environmental award ever presented by the Haitian government, presented by HE President Martelly) June, 2014. Awarded to Jean Wiener. 

Erick Eckman Award for Environmental Excellence 2014

Condé Nast Traveler logo

Condé Nast Traveler Environmental Award Runners-Up 2012

Whitley Fund for Nature cover

Whitley Fund For Nature 2005

Jean Wiener is member of the IUCN Marine Protected Areas.

IUCN Logo

IUCN Member Marine Protected Areas

Jean Wiener is member of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management.

IUCN Member Commission on Ecosystem Management

Jean Wiener is member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.

IUCN Member World Commission on Protected Areas

Jean Wiener is member of the International Coral Reefs Initiative.

ICRI Logo Colour

International Coral Reefs Initiative member

Jean Wiener is member of WIDECAST network.

widecast

WIDECAST network member  

Jean Wiener is member of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network.

gcrmn-logo-200

Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network member 

Reuters logo

Haitian marine biologist wins environmental activism prize

Jean is a Biologist working to restore the coastline by planting mangroves and educating people on using Haiti's resources sustainably. Join his mission.

Jean Wiener

Food security should open the conversation about biodiversity for coral reef-dependent countries

Logo for La Presse newspaper

Catastrophe écologique en zones côtières

Biographic

Conservation Hero: Jean Wiener

EcoWatch logo

5 Ocean Heroes Protecting Earth's Most Precious Resource

In northern Haiti, conservation efforts focus on coastlines

maiami herarld

As Haiti’s mangroves dwindle, alternative cooking methods rise

Beautiful News is a global news platform that publishes one positive short film every day of the year. We are dedicated to unearthing inspiring, uplifting, and authentic voices that reflect the good in humanity, as well as the beauty of global destinations and our natural world.  

Beautiful News launched in South Africa on 1 November 2016. Since inception, we’ve shared positive micro-documentary content at 4:14pm daily, in recognition of the moment that Nelson Mandela was released from prison. In honour of his legacy, we are reframing our world for the betterment of nature and humankind.

Beautiful News

To build Haiti’s resilience against natural disasters, this biologist is restoring its coastlines

Donate to Jean - Biologist Protecting an Overexploited Coastline

SDG 13 Climate Action

SDG 14 Life Below Water

SDG 15 Life on Land

## In short
Jean is a Biologist working to protect the overexploited coastline of Haiti. With a holistic approach that gives options on how to make an income, without destroying the island’s resources, he is providing Haiti with greater resilience against the effects of climate change. 

**Protect what you love**
I was born and raised in Haiti, and as a boy, I loved to spend my free time at the beach. It felt as if I was swimming in an aquarium with beautiful coral reefs and vibrant colors. But as I grew older, I started noticing changes above and below the surface; I saw fewer fish, fewer birds and more trash. And nothing was being done about the environmental degradation, so I figured I had to take matters into my own hands. I became a biologist and in 1992 I started my organization in Haiti, with the aim to change our island’s environmental issues.

**Exposed to disasters**
Haiti lies at the center of so-called Hurricane Alley, making the island exposed to natural disasters on top of a long history of bad economy, which have wiped out Haiti’s natural areas, farmlands and infrastructure. Locals mine corals and fishers use inappropriate fishing methods with little respect for fishing seasons. On land, villagers hack down mangroves, the last coastal trees standing, and cook them into charcoal. All the while, each storm season, tonnes of garbage wash into our beaches, destroying our land and our oceans. All of these destructive scenarios are having a devastating effect on our island. 

**Holistic approach**
We are working with a holistic approach to try to get everybody working together. Making the people understand that if they keep taking all our resources, they’re not going to find any in the future. We can’t stop them from using our resources, but it needs to be done in a sustainable way. We provide educational activities to locals and the Haitian government in environmental sciences, mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries, alternative income generation and conflict resolution. We also conduct research on local fisheries, coral reefs, mangrove stands and pollution to inform our interventions.

## My organization
Founded in 1992 FoProBiM is an apolitical, non-governmental, non-profit organization headquartered in Haiti and was officially recognized by the Haitian government in 1995 as a foundation working on environment issues in the areas of sustainable development, education, research, monitoring, and advocacy. 

**Mission** 

As one of Haiti’s oldest environmental organizations, and one of the very few with a 100% full-time dedicated staff, FoProBiM’s mission includes: (i) raising awareness concerning needed changes in regulations and attitudes; (ii) increasing knowledge and capabilities at the government, community and individual levels in order to make sustainable improvements in the environment and the lives of people, and; (iii) conducting educational programs as well as scientific research, including environmental monitoring, in order to promote improved management of the environment and the protection of biodiversity through a better understanding of the need to sustainably use environmental resources.

**Our work**

Throughout FoProBiM’s over 28 years of existence it has been, and remains, the only Haitian operated and Haiti-based NGO dedicated to the protection and management of Haiti’s coastal and marine ecosystems and adjacent watersheds. In its ongoing efforts to monitor and protect the environment, and biodiversity in particular, FoProBiM works with watershed and coastal area inhabitants including women’s groups, youth, farmers, fishers, and those making use of environmental resources through a wide variety of sectors such as tourism, fuel production, transportation, marketing, processing, etc.  Currently FoProBiM is capable of providing various types of project expertise including design, management, and execution in the fields of education, advocacy, scientific, and technical training and support.  

FoProBiM is Haiti’s only IUCN member and the National Focal Point in Haïti for: IUCN – The World Conservation Union (World Commission on Protected Areas, Marine; Commission on Ecosystem Management); the International Coral Reefs Initiative (ICRI); WIDECAST; The Ocean Conservancy; the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN); and the Coastal and Beach Stability Program (COSALC) among others. It has also acted as a primary consultant for coastal and marine resources in the preparation of Haiti’s national environmental action plan (NEAP) and undertaken a wide variety of projects for institutions as varied as the IDB, UNEP, UNDP, OAS, Whitley Fund for Nature, the Haitian Ministry of Environment, The Nature Conservancy, and the US Departments of Agriculture (IITF – International Institute of Tropical Forestry), State, Commerce (NOAA: NMFS, CCFHR, OIA), and Interior (USFWS) to name but a few. 

FoProBiM is the only institution in Haiti undertaking lower watershed/coastal and marine environmental education and research activities which has included engaging hoteliers and coastal communities in nature-based tourism activities in order to help preserve biodiversity and create sustainable incomes. It is expanding its marine turtle and mangrove reforestation/rehabilitation conservation activities and has been trying to fill the “Haiti gap” of information related to environmental issues for institutions such as WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Marine Turtle Conservation Network) and the IUCN.  FoProBiM engages in activities nation-wide and the data gathered informs its various other activities in order to increase awareness in regard to the protection of biodiversity by linking protection with sustainable livelihoods throughout the country.

**The Problem**

Overfishing: The use of inappropriate fishing methods such as small mesh nets and the non-respect of fishing seasons leads to unsustainable fishing and undersized catch.  Continued use of these destructive practices are having a devastating effect on local, as well as regional, fisheries.

Climate Change: The loss of critical ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves are devastating to small developing nations' economies.  It is imperative to halt, and reverse, the loss of these important habitats.

Habitat Modification: Loss of habitats due to transformation such as the construction of housing, roads, salt pans, resorts, as well as agriculture threaten critical habitats and the benefits they provide to local communities such as shoreline protection, nurseries for many types of coastal and marine species, protection from storm surges, and carbon sequestration.

Deforestation: Tree cutting for charcoal production and fuel wood is destroying what little is left of Haiti's forests. Local communities are in dire need of fuel and local trees are the only available source.

Pollution: Marine and terrestrial pollution are having serious negative impacts on the health of coastal and marine ecosystems. Not only is it unsightly, but it causes diseases and intestinal blockages in all types of marine life from birds to whales to fish when they consume it and it then finds its way into humans, it reduces and destroys critical habitats, and it destroys the local tourism economy. 

**Our approach**

Environmental Education: FoProBiM provided educational activities for adults, students, and the public sector in environmental sciences, mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries, alternative income generation, capacity building, conflict resolution, and association building.

Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Livelihoods: We provide training to local coastal communities in EFASL activities such as apiculture and eco-tourism.  Other alternatives such as shell-fish culture and the production of algae are being examined.

Environmental Rehabilitation: FoProBiM is actively involved in the rehabiliation/restoration of mangrove forests throughout Haiti. These critical habitats are essential habitats for local fisheries production and the protection of coastal communities from the impacts of storms. 

Community Development: FoProBiM is helping to strengthen local communities by providing support for local actions such as community clean-ups, assistance to local schools and associations, guidance to local government, and support for local initiatives.

Research: FoProBiM undertakes research on local fisheries, coral reefs, mangrove stands, socio-economic issues, and pollution in order to inform our interventions

In short
Jean is a Biologist working to protect the overexploited coastline of Haiti. With a holistic approach that gives options on how to make an income, without destroying the island’s resources, he is providing Haiti with greater resilience against the effects of climate change.

Protect what you love
I was born and raised in Haiti, and as a boy, I loved to spend my free time at the beach. It felt as if I was swimming in an aquarium with beautiful coral reefs and vibrant colors. But as I grew older, I started noticing changes above and below the surface; I saw fewer fish, fewer birds and more trash. And nothing was being done about the environmental degradation, so I figured I had to take matters into my own hands. I became a biologist and in 1992 I started my organization in Haiti, with the aim to change our island’s environmental issues.

Exposed to disasters
Haiti lies at the center of so-called Hurricane Alley, making the island exposed to natural disasters on top of a long history of bad economy, which have wiped out Haiti’s natural areas, farmlands and infrastructure. Locals mine corals and fishers use inappropriate fishing methods with little respect for fishing seasons. On land, villagers hack down mangroves, the last coastal trees standing, and cook them into charcoal. All the while, each storm season, tonnes of garbage wash into our beaches, destroying our land and our oceans. All of these destructive scenarios are having a devastating effect on our island.

Holistic approach
We are working with a holistic approach to try to get everybody working together. Making the people understand that if they keep taking all our resources, they’re not going to find any in the future. We can’t stop them from using our resources, but it needs to be done in a sustainable way. We provide educational activities to locals and the Haitian government in environmental sciences, mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries, alternative income generation and conflict resolution. We also conduct research on local fisheries, coral reefs, mangrove stands and pollution to inform our interventions.

My organization
Founded in 1992 FoProBiM is an apolitical, non-governmental, non-profit organization headquartered in Haiti and was officially recognized by the Haitian government in 1995 as a foundation working on environment issues in the areas of sustainable development, education, research, monitoring, and advocacy.

Mission
As one of Haiti’s oldest environmental organizations, and one of the very few with a 100% full-time dedicated staff, FoProBiM’s mission includes: (i) raising awareness concerning needed changes in regulations and attitudes; (ii) increasing knowledge and capabilities at the government, community and individual levels in order to make sustainable improvements in the environment and the lives of people, and; (iii) conducting educational programs as well as scientific research, including environmental monitoring, in order to promote improved management of the environment and the protection of biodiversity through a better understanding of the need to sustainably use environmental resources.

Our work

Throughout FoProBiM’s over 28 years of existence it has been, and remains, the only Haitian operated and Haiti-based NGO dedicated to the protection and management of Haiti’s coastal and marine ecosystems and adjacent watersheds. In its ongoing efforts to monitor and protect the environment, and biodiversity in particular, FoProBiM works with watershed and coastal area inhabitants including women’s groups, youth, farmers, fishers, and those making use of environmental resources through a wide variety of sectors such as tourism, fuel production, transportation, marketing, processing, etc.  Currently FoProBiM is capable of providing various types of project expertise including design, management, and execution in the fields of education, advocacy, scientific, and technical training and support.
FoProBiM is Haiti’s only IUCN member and the National Focal Point in Haïti for: IUCN – The World Conservation Union (World Commission on Protected Areas, Marine; Commission on Ecosystem Management); the International Coral Reefs Initiative (ICRI); WIDECAST; The Ocean Conservancy; the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN); and the Coastal and Beach Stability Program (COSALC) among others. It has also acted as a primary consultant for coastal and marine resources in the preparation of Haiti’s national environmental action plan (NEAP) and undertaken a wide variety of projects for institutions as varied as the IDB, UNEP, UNDP, OAS, Whitley Fund for Nature, the Haitian Ministry of Environment, The Nature Conservancy, and the US Departments of Agriculture (IITF – International Institute of Tropical Forestry), State, Commerce (NOAA: NMFS, CCFHR, OIA), and Interior (USFWS) to name but a few.
FoProBiM is the only institution in Haiti undertaking lower watershed/coastal and marine environmental education and research activities which has included engaging hoteliers and coastal communities in nature-based tourism activities in order to help preserve biodiversity and create sustainable incomes. It is expanding its marine turtle and mangrove reforestation/rehabilitation conservation activities and has been trying to fill the “Haiti gap” of information related to environmental issues for institutions such as WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Marine Turtle Conservation Network) and the IUCN.  FoProBiM engages in activities nation-wide and the data gathered informs its various other activities in order to increase awareness in regard to the protection of biodiversity by linking protection with sustainable livelihoods throughout the country.

The Problem

Overfishing: The use of inappropriate fishing methods such as small mesh nets and the non-respect of fishing seasons leads to unsustainable fishing and undersized catch.  Continued use of these destructive practices are having a devastating effect on local, as well as regional, fisheries.

Climate Change: The loss of critical ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves are devastating to small developing nations' economies.  It is imperative to halt, and reverse, the loss of these important habitats.

Habitat Modification: Loss of habitats due to transformation such as the construction of housing, roads, salt pans, resorts, as well as agriculture threaten critical habitats and the benefits they provide to local communities such as shoreline protection, nurseries for many types of coastal and marine species, protection from storm surges, and carbon sequestration.

Deforestation: Tree cutting for charcoal production and fuel wood is destroying what little is left of Haiti's forests. Local communities are in dire need of fuel and local trees are the only available source.

Pollution: Marine and terrestrial pollution are having serious negative impacts on the health of coastal and marine ecosystems. Not only is it unsightly, but it causes diseases and intestinal blockages in all types of marine life from birds to whales to fish when they consume it and it then finds its way into humans, it reduces and destroys critical habitats, and it destroys the local tourism economy.

Our approach

Environmental Education: FoProBiM provided educational activities for adults, students, and the public sector in environmental sciences, mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries, alternative income generation, capacity building, conflict resolution, and association building.

Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Livelihoods: We provide training to local coastal communities in EFASL activities such as apiculture and eco-tourism.  Other alternatives such as shell-fish culture and the production of algae are being examined.

Environmental Rehabilitation: FoProBiM is actively involved in the rehabiliation/restoration of mangrove forests throughout Haiti. These critical habitats are essential habitats for local fisheries production and the protection of coastal communities from the impacts of storms.

Community Development: FoProBiM is helping to strengthen local communities by providing support for local actions such as community clean-ups, assistance to local schools and associations, guidance to local government, and support for local initiatives.

Research: FoProBiM undertakes research on local fisheries, coral reefs, mangrove stands, socio-economic issues, and pollution in order to inform our interventions

Overfishing, coral mining, and mangrove loss are destroying the biodiversity of Haiti’s coastal and marine ecosystems. Jean is a Biologist working to restore the coastline by planting mangroves and educating people on using the island's resources sustainably.

Founder, Executive Director & Biologist

Overfishing and mangrove loss are destroying the biodiversity of Haiti’s coastal and marine ecosystems. Jean is a Biologist working to restore the coastline by planting mangroves and educate people on how to use the island's resources sustainably.

Donate now to save mangroves

This is Jean

With your help

Why care