Conservation

We want to see a world where vulnerable cacti are no longer threatened by extinction.

A commonly misunderstood aspect about peyote conservation is the belief that conservationists intend to interfere with peyote people having access to their medicine and want to regulate their consumption. Just the opposite is true. Successful peyote conservation absolutely requires recognition of the use of peyote as a legitimate spiritual sacrament and an important part of our goals is to ensure that the Native American peyote people continue to enjoy access to peyote in perpetuity. Without this understanding being at its heart, no conservation effort can succeed. Our goal is to help empower people as to how they can take control of their own futures. Conservation and management of wild populations is a part of that. Cultivation could be another part of it in the future if that is desired. Production of peyote and any decisions regarding production of peyote, however, belongs in the hands of peyote people.

Explore our conservation initiatives

Land acquisition

Biocultural Conservation

Cultivation

Our Major Conservation Initiative … and New Responsibilities for CCI

As it nears completion of its first land acquisition, CCI is entering a new phase in its mission to study and preserve vulnerable cacti in their natural range.  Thanks to the generosity of a major donor in conjunction with a federal grant, CCI will be able to protect the last known pristine population of Star cactus left in the United States.  This will enable CCI, as well as current and future generations of researchers, to study these and other species in their natural habitat.

Produced by Eugenio del Bosque, 2020

In order to preserve this land from poachers and others, CCI will need to install fencing, ongoing monitoring and security facilities, and living quarters on-site.  Please consider a donation to help with this initiative today. You can donate below– your donation is entirely tax-deductible.And stay tuned as we contemplate other uses for this one-of-a-kind habitat.

 

Harvesting Guidelines

Bia Labate (producer). 2016. Youtube video featuring Dr. Terry demonstrating the proper technique for sustainably harvesting Lophophora williamsii that is intended for sacramental use.