Landscape Restoration

Ranching has been the sole livelihood in this region for generations. The land can not keep up with the demands of the people and productivity has decreased from years of overgrazing. Extractive agriculture practices contribute to erosion, soil and biodiversity loss, and degradation of this fragile ecosystem. Large swaths of land are bulldozed and planted with buffelgrass, an invasive species that further threatens biodiversity. The jaguars’ preferred prey items, deer and javelina, are often viewed as competitors for the limited resources of grass and water and shot by ranchers.

Buffelgrass pastures in Sahuaripa

Agroforestry workshop in the community of Sehuadehuachi, Sahuaripa

La Tierra del Jaguar provides education and technical assistance in implementing agroforestry systems that restore land and diversify income. By using native species that benefit humans and wildlife, we can restore degraded land, increase habitat connectivity, and foster appreciation for wildlife.

Agave and Mesquite Agroforestry

The key to restoring the land of the jaguar

Living and working in the community has revealed that ranchers are aware of the effects of environmental degradation and climate change, but unsure of solutions or actions they can take to reverse or adapt to them.

Developing long-term buy-in is key to successful restoration on private land. This means finding ways to keep low income communities land financially productive and restorative.

Agave and mesquite agroforestry can restore degraded land, while simultaneously generating income through product diversification for low-income communities in the land of the jaguar.

Restore Soil

Planting on contours along the faces of overgrazed hillsides can slow down and infiltrate rain water, raise the water table, improve soil, and stop erosion.

Sequester Carbon

Agaves have the ability to draw down and store above ground the dry weight equivalent of 12 to 24 tons of carbon/acre/year.

Increase Biodiversity

Polycultures of native plants, including pollinator species, increases biodiversity and strengthens ecosystems.

Diversify Income

Systems can produce a variety of high value products such as artisanal beverages and spirits, mesquite flour, sweeteners, textiles, and livestock feed.