Eco-Bahia Foundation showcases Cayo Levantado restoration project at international congress

Santo Domingo.- The Eco-Bahia Foundation, backed by Piñero, showcased its ecological restoration efforts at Cayo Levantado Resort during the 2026 International Botanical Bridges Congress held at the National Botanical Garden.

The environmental organization presented the Cayo Levantado project as a successful model for biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism in the Dominican Republic. The congress brought together botanical experts, scientific institutions, and environmental organizations from across the Caribbean and Central America to discuss ecosystem restoration, native flora conservation, urban sustainability, seed banks, and environmental education.

During the event, environmental engineer Juan Uranga González detailed how the resort transformed traditional water-intensive landscaping into a resilient ecosystem centered on native and endemic plant species. Officials reported that 308 plant species have been identified at the site, with 67% classified as native species.

Participants also toured Cayo Levantado to observe the restoration work firsthand. According to Alex Matás, the initiative demonstrates how the tourism sector can adopt more sustainable practices while protecting biodiversity and reducing invasive species.

The project was developed in partnership with the Dr. Rafael María Moscoso National Botanical Garden, strengthening collaboration between scientific research and sustainable tourism development in the Dominican Republic.