Using contingent valuation for a conservation and restoration program: The case of the national system of protected areas of the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has a national system of protected areas integrated for 128 conservation units, covering a land area of 1.2 million hectares, representing around one-quarter of the country's surface. This study aims to understand the willingness to pay (WTP) of the Dominican society for a Special Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration Program for the National System of Protected Areas. It was selected the contingent valuation method to estimate the WTP at the national level. The aggregate WTP of the Dominican society is approximately US 126.2 million at the present value. It concluded that Dominican society positively values its protected areas. The WTP is higher in urban areas and among people familiar with protected areas, presenting opportunities for environmental education, emphasizing Dominican-protected ecosystems' values.