ABSTRACT
The appearance of the new International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) -inspired conservation for development clubs named LAURELES within this emerging conservation climate is very timely, since the clubs are promoting a similar conservation mystique of their own. Since LAURELES aim at producing better neighbours and better citizens, one ought to offer a programme in human conduct and social etiquette, necessary for individual and group interactions that require decisions and conflict resolution. It seems to be the product of multiple projects in conservation and human development, undertaken with different approaches by individuals and organised groups. Work mystique and traditional austere values are being invoked together with ethical and patriotic incentives. In the Dominican Republic there are numerous well-documented examples of ecologically positive initiative and action that originated within the Church or in Church-related groups. Irreversible desertification was presented as an imminent danger in view of the ecological catastrophe in the neighbouring Republic of Haiti.
