CONSERVATION

The Sapphire Foundation is dedicated to preserving land in its natural state, while also providing young people with the opportunity to study and value nature.

Bassam Out-camp is the first property set aside by the Sapphire Foundation to meet these goals. In January of 2005, the Foundation found land that could be preserved in its natural state and provide an excellent environment for study of nature.

The Sapphire Foundation teamed up with Echo Bonaire and NOBO Bonaire to create DoNature Tags. These tags are made from locally recycled plastic and come with facts about the Yellow-Shouldered Amazon Parrot. The parrots, also called Loras, are native to Bonaire and Venezuela and face challenges from poaching and habitat loss. The tags were made to help provide information to locals and visitors, with the hope of further restoring this bird in its natural habitat.

The Foundation also worked with local seamstress, Sybille Heinen, to create a new Lora Mascot for Echo. This mascot will further interest in the Loras and the conservation of their environment.