Grupo Piñero’s Eco-Bahía combines education and conservation for sea turtles

Samaná.- Twenty-five years ago, Grupo Piñero established the Eco-Bahía Foundation, pioneering the integration of responsible tourism and environmental conservation. Originally launched in Mexico, the initiative expanded to the Dominican Republic in 2023, promoting marine and terrestrial preservation, ecological restoration, and environmental education programs throughout the Caribbean.

The Foundation has made sea turtle conservation a flagship effort, protecting nests, monitoring hatchlings, and involving local communities and tourists in sustainable practices. In the Dominican Republic alone, over 50 km of coastline are safeguarded, with more than 15 nests protected and over 1,700 hatchlings released last year. Its work has been recognized with the 2025 Traveling For Happiness award in the Flora and Fauna Preservation category.

Eco-Bahía also focuses on educational initiatives, engaging more than 7,800 children, youth, and visitors through workshops, eco-routes, and citizen science programs via iNaturalist. Beyond turtles, the Foundation undertakes coral reef conservation, wildlife rescue, reforestation, and mangrove preservation, fostering collaboration with public institutions, communities, and the tourism sector. To date, over 50,000 people have actively participated, demonstrating how tourism can coexist responsibly with nature while inspiring lasting environmental awareness.