Our Story. Tierralegre’s origin story begins 25 years ago with the development of University field studies and ecotourism programs along the Costalegre. Originally based in La Manzanilla, Jalisco, Davison Collins founded Tierralegre to address needs for science-based land management, informed ecotourism, conservation direct service. Davison worked closely with the local ejido, tourism businesses, and area schools to establish a cohesive, integrated strategy to further environmental advocacy and regional planning. In 2000, Davision was joined by two PhD candidates from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), Corey Lewis and Jerry Keir, both of whom studied with Collins in Reno. As senior staff at UNR’s Great Basin Institute, they coordinated University student engagement in Tierralegre’s efforts to support increased protection of coastal ecosystems. Over time, these University courses led to interdisciplinary watershed research and restoration programs with funding made available by Earthwatch Institute and the International Community Foundation. Additional support came from scholarships made available from International Studies programs from a small consortium of Universities from schools within the California State University system (Chico, Humboldt State, and Channel Islands), as well as from the University of South Florida and a regional branch of the Universidad de Guadalajara. Research on ecohydrology, population genetics, mangrove and fisheries productivity, and restoration efficacy served as a model for future conservation efforts and inform current programs underway at Tierralegre.

The Story Continues. Today, our growing partnerships includes a diverse bilateral team of principle investigators, agency representatives, community activists, and land owners who continue this important work along the coastal communities of this imperiled landscape. Collaborating with a broad constituency of key stakeholders and federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, Tierralegre has become a leader in uniting private and public interests to address the growing challenges of climate change, carbon storage, deforestation, species protection, and the pressing need for improved community health and economic well being. To that end, Tierralegre successfully garnered financing to establish a permanent research station, the Capacha Center. Located on Playa Grande near the rural town of Arroyo Seco, the Center provides the necessary infrastructure to host students, volunteers, and visiting guests to contribute to a variety of conservation initiatives and community programs. The Center’s 8 hectare Main Station offers housing, food services, and support staff to deploy monitoring programs and ecological restoration with student groups, research teams, and conservation volunteers. Capacha’s beach front bungalows also provide visiting guests with housing built with sustainable designs that utilize bamboo locally sourced from the upland ranch where habitat recovery and reforestation efforts serve as a demonstration site that showcase permaculture best practices.

TIERRALEGRE LEADERSHIP TEAM