In reflecting on an early morning visit to a small, inactive ranchstead on the outskirts of San Ignacio, Belize, the abandoned ranch building and fallow pastures emerged as an opportunity to undertake a bird-friendly habitat restoration and create a conservation facility dedicated to avian rehabilitation and release.  In the days, weeks, months, and eventually years, that would follow, plans and compliance documents were prepared, proposals were submitted for review and comment; supplies, equipment, and contractors were identified, and as described by Collier, the image began to manifest. 

Many of the years since that mid-June morning in 2004, have been marked by important achievements – the acceptance of the environmental documentation and receipt of Environmental Clearance by the Belize Department of the Environment in November 2004, CASA’s registration as a Belize Non-Governmental Organization in February, 2006, recognition of CASA by the Belize Forest Department as an ex-situ conservation facility in September 2006,  Casa's first successful release in January 2008, its certification as a 501(c) 3 in the United States in October, 2008, and last September the full time presence of Mr. Ricky Manzanero as the In-country Director of CASA and the host eco-lodge Casa del Caballo Blanco.