Echo is a small non-profit foundation that was started in 2010 on Bonaire. Its mission is to safeguard the future of the Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot (Amazona Barbadensis). This parrot is only found on Bonaire, in the northern part of Venezuela and two islands off the coast of Venezuela: Isla Margarita and Isla Blanquilla. Globally there are only around 7500 Yellow-shouldered Amazons remaining. The biggest threat to maintaining a healthy and growing population of these parrots is the lack of a suitable habitat, and Bonaire is no exception.

Thanks to funding from Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire, Echo started a large-scale reforestation project with the goal of protecting 10 ‘exclusion areas’ on public land. Each area will measure approximately one-hectare and all exotic herbivores (goats, donkeys, and pigs) will be excluded. The exclusion areas will then be reforested with as many as 20,000 native trees in total. The goal of this project is to help restore Bonaire’s threatened and degraded dry forest to provide a suitable habitat for the native wildlife, including the Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrots, which serve as an indicator species of forest ‘health.’

More information about Echo’s work and how you could get involved can be found on
Our website: www.echobonaire.org or on their Facebook page

Visit Echo’s conservation center to learn about the charismatic and threatened Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot and Echo’s conservation efforts to protect them. When you visit, you’ll meet rescued and released parrots at Echo’s facility and enjoy a unique experience as you walk through Bonaire’s dry forest and discover the island’s topside.  Echo provides a conservation tours at their Conservation Centre in Rincon, to learn more, please visit: http://www.echobonaire.org/visit/parrot-tours/