Their Story

La Casa and CASA enjoy a symbiotic relationship in support of biodiversity conservation; the proceeds from ecotourism at La Casa support CASA, and CASA provides an attraction for bird enthusiasts and volun-tourists. La Casa also provides lodging for visiting veterinarians and wildlife specialists. CASA rehabilitates and releases avi-fauna, and also educates locals and visitors about the value of avi-fauna and the environment. Birds who are unable to return to their natural habitat can “retire” at CASA – like Lored Captain Jack, a red-lored parrot who suffered an eye injury as a hatchling, and is now 1st Ambassador to CASA. CASA is developing a “Badge of Bird” program to encourage young local volunteers to care for birds and the environment.
Consistent with this concern for the environment, La Casa has endeavored to restore rather than develop or destroy, and to operate with the smallest footprint possible. As such they very purposely selected a piece of land that had previously been developed as a small ranchito, where buildings existed and where the land had been previously cleared and cultivated. Approximately 2/3s of the property, 15 acres, has been devoted to habitat restoration and the creation of the Tzu’nuun Trail. This trail links observation points established in January 2006, that are used by CASA biologists twice yearly to document the habitat rebound and the attendant return of wildlife. New development was limited to the construction of three small ‘casitas’ housing two rooms each, a caretaker’s home, and appurtenances. Otherwise, existing buildings were redesigned and rebuilt to accommodate a kitchen and dining room, reception and La Sala (the large meeting room that is available for meetings and educational functions), and a Bird Rehabilitation and Bird Intake Building, both former pig sties.