Mexican Mangroves and Wildlife expedition

“This is not a sanitized holiday but a unique adventure…where you can learn new skills, experience exotic wildlife and locations, meet interesting people and get the satisfaction that you are actually doing something positive for conservation.”

The wetlands that line a large part (1,567,300 hectares) of the Mexican coast are rich in biological diversity. Mangrove ecosystems in particular are known to be important rearing grounds for marine fishes and provide important habitat for migratory and endemic bird species, reptiles, and small mammals. On the Costa Alegre of the Mexican Pacific, mangroves are the dominant coastal wetland and are home to the largest populations of American crocodiles in Mexico. Previous investigations conducted in Tenacatita Bay have shown the importance of these mangroves as habitat for many different species. The support of Earthwatch volunteers like you makes it possible to collect essential data on the mangroves themselves as well as the species inhabiting them. Similar to other mangrove ecosystems worldwide, both direct (e.g. habitat modification) and indirect (e.g. climate change) human influences are altering the biology and function of these ecosystems. During the last three years of Earthwatch-sponsored research, critical information was collected describing the disturbances caused to La Manzanilla mangrove. La Manzanilla is close to the city and structurally different than the previously studied Tenacatita mangrove, which has permanent surface water connections between the mangrove and the ocean. In the past year, the city of LaManzanilla has initiated a program that would input wastewater discharge into La Manzanilla mangrove. Wastewater contains higher concentrations of nutrients which can alter ecosystem structure and species composition, particularly in systems that do not flush regularly like La Manzanilla mangrove. Though the human influences affecting La Manzanilla are significant, this project works under the belief that it is in the early stages of change and that the time to act is now. It is essential to determine the conditions of the mangrove prior to major alterations, to predict future impacts, and to develop a natural resource management plan for the lower watershed. This project seeks to explore the basic ecological interactions taking place within each mangrove through an ecosystem-based approach and to assess the importance of the mangrove to the local community.

Link to PDF file about this years projects

Boca de Iguanas - Hotel - Beach Club - Spa - Community

And here's what you can pay $350,000 to $500,000us (only guessing - prices not yet posted) and pretend you are anywhere other than Mexico.

Their Web Page
---------------------------------------
Life at Boca de Iguanas revolves around a dynamic community center inspired by the traditional pueblito at the heart of Mexico’s colonial heritage. First-class resort living mixes colorful, old-world architecture with contemporary Mexican design in a refreshing natural haven that features a boutique hotel, beach club and a holistic spa all situated around a rare mangrove ecosystem.

Located 40 minutes north of Manzanillo International Airport, Boca de Iguanas offers single-family ocean view homes and condos nestled in the jungle, gentle waves lapping a cream sand beach, fresh organic meals served under the stars and exceptional service.

Stand-alone “green” homes designed in a traditional Mexican pueblo theme will be set against ponds and mangroves surrounded by primordial jungle. The result is a pristine setting that allows residents and vacationers to experience the stunning natural beauty of the area while indulging in first-class amenities.

Boca de Iguanas will offer an unparalleled 21st century vacation/lifestyle experience in a pristine, ecologically-progressive gated community, with 24 hour security, alternative clean energy sources and underground utilities.

The development will revolve around a dynamic community center inspired by the traditional pueblito, with dining and shopping, open plazas and old stone fountains reminiscent of Mexico’s colonial heritage. Building in this style will also allow for more densely organized houising, maximizing land usage while offering an intimate, community-oriented feel found in Old World Mexican pueblos. Homeowners will have access to a beach club with an infinity edge pool, hammocks and lounges on the beach. Spectacular views, fresh organic meals and exceptional service will be offered from the al fresco beachside restaurant and bar.
Natural surroundings are kept in a largely untouched state, juxtaposing the striking ocean and tranquil beach with a mangrove ecosystem that will also provide a backdrop to many of the development’s eco-focused lifestyle. Cars will not be allowed : a covered parking area located at the entrance of the development will be available to the owners. Walking paths will encourage a healthy lifestyle, and electric golf carts will deliver owners right to their front doors.

To maximize on the “greenness” of the community, each house will have its own solar power array for electricity as well as solar hot water, and plumbing will connect to community gray water recycling system, and sewage treatment plant.

The Boca de Iguanas is for couples and families seeking wellness of being, physical activities, cultural encounters, and luxurious surroundings packaged in a complete high-end vacation experience.

Want a job or just info on the new Boca de Iguanas

Independent Sales Representatives

Description: Mixed use real estate developer looking for seasoned independent real estate contractors to serve as regional sales representatives for ecological beachfront development project in Costalegre, Mexico.

The Boca de Iguanas development project is a multi-phased mixed use eco-development consisting of 40 single family homes and pre-sale condominium units on 18 acres of spectacular jungle-strewn beachfront property that shares its site with a 10-room boutique hotel, beach club, holistic spa and ecological reserve.

The target market is upwardly mobile couples, young-minded retirees and families in the Western U.S. and Canada seeking a cutting-edge yet natural community whose devotion to conservation is reflected in built-in bioclimactic architecture, underground wiring, supplemental solar power generation, onsite composting, grey water recycling and environmental stewardship programs.

We are seeking highly motivated, dynamic sales associates who are commissioned based and who will handle negotiations and closings for multiple real estate transactions. The sales representative is based in his/her home region with possible travel to Mexico for scheduled appointments and onsite sales presentations with leads generated. Must demonstrate strong organizational and communications skills, and must possess a valid real estate license for the REGION.

Here's a link to the original job Ad

Fotos taken within the last few months of construction, the restaurant and the pool ...

No Crowds? No Rush? In Mexico, No Problemo

Washington Post Article

A 3 page article

By M.L. Lyke
Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, December 3, 2006; Page P01

It takes a day or two in La Manzanilla to spot the symptoms. There's the flat tire on the rental car that has gone nowhere in seven days, the book buried in the sand facedown, the gringo who can't remember what day it is, the old local waving hola from his hammock.

Expats call the phenomenon "the great sand suck."

Extreme cases become the stuff of legend, like the Oregon tourist plopped in a beach chair who couldn't decide whether to go barefoot or wear sandals. He started mulling the question in the morning. At 5 p.m. he was still in the same spot. Same chair, one sandal on, one off. "I meant to go someplace," he said with a shrug.

Even the roosters seem afflicted in this dusty little Mexican fishing village, a hushed-up spot that's still off the clock and, for a while yet, off the tourist track. The scrawny birds go off at all hours -- midnight, 2 a.m., breakfast time, lunchtime, margarita time -- their hoarse, halfhearted cock-a-doodle-doos signifying nothing in particular.

"Nothing" may have a bad name north of the border, but down here on Mexico's west coast, some four hours south of Puerto Vallarta along the Costa Alegre (the Happy Coast), finding the dada of nada is a fine pastime. "I'm listening to the space between the waves," a music-teacher friend told me, planted in her chair on Day 4 of vacation, eyes closed, face to the sea, listening to the gentle surf that rises, sighs and foams across a long, low-slope beach.

La Manzanilla isn't fancy, not even close, despite a growing number of handsome architect-designed rentals and a smattering of new galerias. There are no resorts, no sports bars, no souvenir shops, no time-share pitches, no prepackaged special deals. Regulars, who urge others to keep this pretty hideout secret, pack pesos: There are no banks, no bank machines, no plastic, no traveler's checks.

What you get for those pesos -- and you won't need many -- are friendly townsfolk used to mingling with gringos, a dreamy sweep of beach backed up to tropical jungle, and time, the kind of soak-in time that untangles thoughts, unknots muscles and transforms foot-tapping Type A's into Type Z's, full on empty.

Angling for Nothing

Laid-back La Manzanilla is often confused with the busy port of Manzanillo, less than an hour to the south. That "a" at the end makes all the difference. Big Manzanillo has a population of more than 100,000. Little "La Manz" may have 3,500 in peak season, including winter residents, native locals and the Mexicans who come from inland, their trucks packed with inflatable water toys, kids and grandparents riding overstuffed chairs in the pickup bed.

The town lies cupped in the protected southeastern reach of the Bay of Tenacatita, and even water-sissies like me can spend hours boogie-boarding the soft, rolling wavelets, riding right up onto the beach, with a bathing suit full of sand and the kind of silly grin you see on a 6-year-old, sure of her safe delivery to shore.

I've been coming to La Manzanilla three years running, staying in beautiful beachfront suites for less than $100 a night in high season. Get off the beach and you can easily halve that. If you hit the street taquerios for $1.50 tacos or cook up a nice pot of refrieds with serrano chilis to put inside the fresh tortillas made steps down the street, you can enjoy slacker paradise on a comfy budget.

Pencil in at least a couple nights out, though. The town has a good, eclectic mix of restaurants serving traditional Mexican dishes, super-fresh seafood and chef creations such as shrimp and spinach crepes, Thai curries and octopus salad.

The first year, I came to La Manzanilla because I'd heard about the fishing. The waters offshore teem with tuna, marlin, sailfish, snapper and dorado, gorgeous pescado that leap neon yellow and green and blue from the warm Pacific. Fishermen cast small, weighted seine nets, or pole-fish with line and jig to bring in roosterfish right off the beach. Locals also offer guided fishing trips in open boats.

La Manzanilla

La Manzanilla (gets its name from a tree which grew in the area called Manzanillo, the apple like fruits are Manzanillas [possibly derived from Manzana]). It's less than a kilometer (½ mi) in from the highway to the beach at La Manzanilla, on the southern edge of large Bahía de Tenacatita, 78 kilometers north of Manzanillo. Hotels and restaurants line the main street of the town. Rocks dot the gray sands and edge both ends of the wide beach. The bay is usually calm. At the beach road's north end is where you find the famous Caimen of the La Manzanilla Lagoon - also know as crocodiles or cocodrilos.


Famous Cocodrilos


The new Malecon


Beach in front of La Manzanilla


Boca de Iguanas beach looking back at La manzanilla