Bajio, the maker of blue-light filtering, sustainably made, performance sunglasses built to save the world’s saltwater flats and estuaries, announced a new partnership in its sustainability journey. Starting this month, Bajío has teamed up with Oceanus A.C., a non-profit organization based in Quintana Roo, Mexico, that develops projects for the conservation of coral reefs, and artist Piper Nunn to help save the coral reefs of Xcalak, Mexico.
With every purchase of the Nato Permit Tail or Balam Coral Reef frames from Bajío’s Temples of
Change collection, a $20 donation is made to Oceanus A.C., and one coral colony is planted and maintained. Each coral will grow up to five square meters, helping to restore vital ocean populations critical for fish habitat.
The coral restoration program that Bajío is using for Temples of Change was developed by Oceanus A.C. and includes the construction of coral nurseries and the transplantation of thousands of colonies a year. The program includes the identification of genetic material from healthy donor patches to increase diversity in restoration sites. The pro also promotes the resilience and natural resistance of populations to local stressors, and those caused by climate change.
“In Xcalak, The Great Mayan Reef is only a few hundred yards from the beach and is a critical area of the habitat we fish. A healthy reef means a healthy fish population, so we want to do our part to protect and renew it” said Al Perkinson, founder of Bajío Sunglasses. Earlier this year, Perkinson connected with Nunn on how Bajío was sponsoring reef restoration in Xcalak and asked Nunn if she’d be interested in creating artwork to support a campaign called Temples of Change, an effort to raise money for coral planting efforts by Oceanus A.C.
“Without healthy coral reefs, fish lose their habitat, these coral designs help keep ocean conservation top of mind while taking tangible action to restore our coral reefs,” said Nunn, who is an artist and fisheries biologist.
Nunn painted two ocean-inspired designs for Bajío’s Temples of Change campaign. One is a fish-focused design featuring repeating Permit tails on the inside arms of the Nato frame, and one is a habitat-focused design featuring beautiful Sea Fan Coral for the women’s Balam frame.
“I wanted to create designs based around coral reefs. Because Permit are dependent on coral for habitat, I wanted to portray the stark reality that without coral reefs, there are no Permits.” As for the coral design, Nunn was inspired by ferns on a different trip. “At the time I created the artwork, I was doing an internship in Alaska, walking around beautiful fern-lined trails. Sea fan coral looks like underwater ferns, so that’s why I chose that type of coral for my design.” Nunn hopes to continue to create more art with a purpose for Bajío, and create more art with a purpose for Bajio in the future.
These limited-edition sunglasses from the temples of change collection are available in either prescription or non-prescription lenses at bajiosunglasses.com/collections/temples-of-change. Carbon neutral from inception, Bajio’s sunglasses are made with sustainability at the forefront, and complement banner days on the flats and beyond. For more information on all Bajío lens options, visit www.bajiosunglasses.com/pages/technology.
