VISION – The northern jaguar is critically endangered. This is not due to acts of nature; it is due to humans and our actions, most notably current agricultural systems. A diffusion of knowledge about large-scale landscape restoration, regenerative agriculture, permaculture principles, crop diversity, and rotational grazing is needed to achieve a cultural shift so that the jaguar is respected and
not just seen as a competitor for resources. We believe we can create a future where jaguars, people, and nature live in abundance, working together for the good of all. We envision a demonstration site that inspires and teaches people to implement regenerative changes in their communities, throughout the land of the jaguar. Having a physical space where people can see these processes in action is essential. By witnessing how regenerative systems work and evolve, local communities can gain a more complete understanding of the interconnected, long-term benefits for the jaguar. STRATEGIES –
• Regenerative agriculture techniques strengthen species diversity, improve water quality, and reduce human-jaguar conflict.
• Landscape restoration increases the security and connectivity of jaguar habitat that has been degraded over centuries of extractive land use.
• Economic opportunities stimulate sustainable development and the regenerative economy as alternatives to ranching and mining.
• Natural building helps people design and construct energy-efficient homes with a low-carbon footprint. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES –
2021-2022
• Construct classroom, workshop, outdoor kitchen, and composting outhouse.
• Initiate earthworks, irrigation systems, water harvesting, and fencing to grow demonstration site.
• Launch workshops, youth programs, and outreach with a diverse curriculum focused on regenerative principles, benefits to biodiversity, and jaguar conservation.
• Plant terraces with agaves to produce Bacanora and benefit bats.
• Document wildlife and vegetation through motion-triggered camera monitoring, photo points, and survey plots.
• Strengthen relationships with state officials, local governments, and ejidos to support landowners, wildlife, and the regional economy.
• Secure funding for staff and team members based in the community.
• Build base of supporters and donors for long-term sustainability.
2022-
• Increase community awareness and connection to nature, thereby increasing biodiversity and jaguar populations in the region.
• Manage and improve demonstration site to become an international showcase of regenerative techniques.
• Host workshops – on topics such as jaguar, habitat, and water conservation – at the demonstration site, throughout the region, and online.
• Teach collectives that exemplify the regenerative economy for a complete systems approach (i.e. farmers, packagers, and marketers of a salsa or Bacanora work together, share profits, and own their businesses with a percentage of sales going back to the community).
• Expand youth programs with field school, Eco-clubs, and other activities that nurture the next generation of conservationists and regenerative heroes.
• Establish a scholarship program for youth to follow careers in conservation and the regenerative economy.
• Bolster local employment opportunities with paid work crews specializing in landscape restoration, natural building, education, solar installation, and ranch/farm practices.
• Monitor biodiversity, landscape restoration, and regional economic opportunities to quantify the impact of the demonstration site, classes, workshops, and community outreach.
• Leverage relationships with state officials, local governments, ejidos, and landowners to develop riparian corridors, parks, and protected spaces.
• Promote Eco-tourism that unites conservation, communities, and sustainable travel.
• Create, or assist in the creation of:
- A recycling center that utilizes waste materials to produce useful items, similar to systems being implemented by the City of Tucson,
- Bioremediation systems to address discharge of effluent into waterways, and
- A wildlife rehabilitation facility to care for injured wildlife in the region.
