Human habitat expansion and resource extraction are the main contributors to the reduction of
species habitat? Does a species have the right to exist and thrive regardless of human needs?
Ecocentrism is an ethical conservation approach, acknowledging the right to the earth's
existence. We believe that species existence is a sacred right regardless of human necessity and
consumption.
In southern Texas in the Rio Grande Valley, where temperate, desert. coastal and sub-tropical
converge with a rich diversity of wildlife there are approximately 1200 species. Of these
species some occur only in the lower portion of the Rio Grande Valley. However, due to the
expansion of urban development, ranching, oil exploration wind farms and other destructive
activities by humans, many of the unique species have become endangered and threatened through
the lose of habitat. Among these are: Astrophytum asterias, Aplomado Falcon, Ocolotl, and
Lophophora williamsi and many species of butterflies. (e.g. Scientific Investigation Report by
U.S.G.S. 2016).
We ask you to join the "Green Lives Matter" campaign, to create awareness of this forgotten and
neglected precious and unique ecology.
Supply chain challenges of the current peyote harvest/distribution system have resulted in
decreased availability and increased cost to Native American Church (NAC) members who rely on
increasingly scarce wild peyote populations.
Though formerly sufficient to meet the needs of the NAC in the US and Canada, the frailty and
unsustainable nature of this “culled from the wild” supply method, now threatens the future of
NAC ceremonial practices, and of the severely limited domestic reserves of the peyote species
itself. Continued dependance on commercial harvesting of wild peyote populations for current NAC
needs provides no foreseeable means of insuring future
sacramental supply.
Morning Star Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and protect peyote in its natural habitat.
Establishing conservatory gardens is an important part of this mission. In support of this
purpose, Morningstar Conservancy has received an initial operating grant for a peyote seedling
sanctuary pilot project. This project will demonstrate the feasibility of producing seedling
stock for transplant into dedicated conservatory gardens, and for potential repatriation into
depleted habitats. This proof of concept seedling project will be active in January 2023.
However, additional funding is required to continue the project beyond the first year startup
period. Budget projections for this first initial period fall short, by approximately $50K, of
costs which include a one time facility upgrade, (construction of greenhouse, required in second
year operation), and resident caretaker salary.
Given that 3 years of specialized nursery care is required for successful transplant readiness
into a natural culture environment, Morning Star Conservancy is seeking supplemental funding for
years 1 through 3 of the seedling sanctuary project. It is anticipated that at the completion of
this 3 year operating cycle, several appropriately designated conservatory gardens will be
operational and ready to receive transplant stock into their custodianship. Several Native
American Church (NAC) affiliated groups are currently engaged in planning conservatory gardens
to be managed under their own organizational auspices. Morning Star Conservancy’s seedling
sanctuary project is a necessary first step toward relieving these NAC affiliated organizations
of the sensitive horticultural requirements of the life cycle of peyote seedlings. Due to the
extended nature of peyote’s growth cycle, we are hopeful that this important process can proceed
without delay.
Functioning as a culturally appropriate nursery providing sustainably grown planting stock for
dedicated gardens, Morning Star Conservancy’s seedling project is an important first step in
addressing and remediating the impact of ecological and economic factors that challenge the
current NAC sacramental supply system. For more information, please see
www.morningstarconservancy.org. Contact us at info@morningstarconservancy.org
Morning Star Conservancy is a 501c3 organization, EIN 88-2807422
Your contributions are eligible for non-profit, tax deductible purposes.