OUR PURPOSE

The primary problem that Tierralegre proposes to address is ecological illiteracy in La Manzanilla and the disastrous socio-economic and environmental effects associated with it. 

Recent reports show that one in three Mexicans over 15 years of age are illiterate or do not have a basic education and that it will take 60 years to rectify this problem. Indigenous groups are the most vulnerable sector with 1.4 million having received no formal education whatsoever (http://tinyurl.com/235nj9z, http://tinyurl.com/3juajj9). 

In the last decade endangered species in Mexico have increased by 25% according to the recent publication of NOM-059 by SEMARNAT in 2010 (http://tinyurl.com/3usfgqn).

There is a salient and broken link here: the most vulnerable sectors of society in terms of education and opportunity are those that live in the rural areas, closest to nature.  Ecological literacy is the missing glue to restore the link.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

•The project´s goals and objectives are focused on unifying this broken link between illiteracy and ecology and restoring the connection between the two.

2012-13 GOALS

• Boost ecological literacy, especially among adolescents, in order to spark the next generation of the Costalegre rural sector to become significantly more concerned about the destruction of their environment, and more empowered to help protect it—in 10 to 20 years, not 60.

• Create partnerships between the Tenacatita Bay Watershed communities of La Manzanilla, Los Ingenios and Boca de Iguanas, and  national and international universities, collaborating ONGs, and donors.

• Foment an ethic of sustainability and stewardship at the local, national and international level.

• Build sustainability capacity of beneficiaries through the creation of a Permaculture Education Center* offering green jobs, courses, workshops and internships.

2012-13 OBJECTIVES

• Finish Phase 1 (includes recycling center) of the Permaculture Education Center by December 2012 and Phase 2 by December 2013.


• Form a team of secondary school community youth who will become conservation leaders, and participate in at least 12 weekend hands-on sustainability service learning workshops from January 2012-13.

• Offer 24 community scholarships from November 2011-13 for six Tierralegre week-long courses and programs such as “Building with Bamboo”, “Permaculture Design Certification”, and "Costalegre Ecology”.

• Offer eight sustainable service learning internships to community and/or national residents from January 2012-13.

• Continue to augment environmental services and renewable resources, while also ensuring the economic stability of Tierralegre, through the creation and cultivation of 25 hectares of polyculture clumping bamboo plantations by December 2012. 

• Continue to support sea turtle conservation through volunteer recruitment at La Gloria Research and Conservation Base, a collaborative initiative with the University of Guadalajara´s Department for Sustainable Development of Coastal Zones.

• Re-initiate the administration and logistics of the Recycle Costalegre Program by December 2012.

WHAT ARE WE CURRENTLY DOING TO ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES?

To learn more about what we are currently doing to accomplish our goals and objectives please go to projects.