SANTO DOMINGO.– An ecological restoration project developed at Cayo Levantado Resort placed the Dominican Republic among the experiences presented during the International Congress Botanical Bridges 2026, held at the National Botanical Garden and focused on biodiversity conservation, sustainability and ecosystem recovery in the region.
The initiative, promoted by the Eco-Bahia Foundation, was presented to specialists, researchers and environmental organizations from 32 countries as an applied model of integration between tourism and ecological conservation.
A change in the way tourism is built
During the meeting, the foundation presented the results of an environmental transformation process developed in Cayo Levantado, where traditional ornamental areas were progressively replaced by spaces based on native flora and endemic species.
According to the organization, the project has made it possible to recover part of the area's natural ecosystem, reduce invasive species, and decrease the environmental impact associated with maintaining conventional landscaping that consumes a high amount of water.
The main presentation was given by engineer Juan Uranga González, who detailed that 308 species have currently been registered in the intervened environment, of which 67% correspond to native flora.
From environmental proposal to success story
Beyond the academic presentation, the congress participants made a technical visit to Cayo Levantado to directly observe the results of the ecological restoration project implemented in the tourist complex.
According to the Eco-Bahia Foundation, the experience was presented as a success story for combining scientific criteria, environmental conservation and tourism operation within the same development model.
The director of the foundation in the Dominican Republic, Alex Matás, stated that the project seeks to change the traditional view on environmental management in tourist destinations.
“We are convinced that the future of the sector depends on creating greener, more integrated destinations that respect biodiversity,” he said.
Science and sustainable tourism
The initiative has been developed together with the Dr. Rafael María Moscoso National Botanical Garden, as part of a collaboration focused on applying scientific knowledge to conservation projects within tourist environments.
The International Botanical Bridges Congress 2026 brought together experts in conservation, horticulture, environmental education and scientific research to discuss plant protection and sustainability strategies in the Caribbean and Central America.
According to the Eco-Bahia Foundation, participation in this meeting also allowed the protocols used in the project to be validated before the international scientific community and to reinforce the positioning of the Dominican Republic in sustainable tourism and environmental recovery initiatives.
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