Sustained economic growth in CAFTA-DR countries depends on maintaining the health of their natural resource base and protecting the environment while simultaneously generating income for surrounding communities.  Yet agricultural, forestry, and tourism practices often take place with little regard for the conservation and protection of natural habitats that support biodiversity and sustainable economic development.

Sustainable or ecotourism and sustainable agriculture, forest, and fishery product production present important opportunities to support economic growth, sustainable natural resource management, and environmental protection within protected areas, biological corridors, buffer zones, and other ecologically important ecosystems, including marine habitats.

The Environmental Cooperation Program promotes partnerships between local organizations, NGOs, the private sector, and government experts to support projects that include an array of economic growth activities that encourage conservation.  Directly working with communities around protected areas positively influences the livelihoods of tens of thousands of individuals and demonstrates that free-trade agreements, environmental preservation, and income growth for the poor are complementary.