Conserving our sacred medicine

Sacred Conservation Preserving our Traditional Medicine Radiocarbon dating shows ceremonial use of Peyote 6000 years ago along the Rio Grande in South Texas.

CURRENT NEWSPAPER STORIES
Troubled times for Texas hallucinogen harvesters December 16, 2007 Reuters By Jeff Franks
DALLAS OBSERVER
Texas' Peyote Hunters Struggle to Find a Vanishing, Holy Crop
Harvesting peyote is legal for only three people, and all of them live in Texas
By Russell Cobb
Published on February 14, 2008
The McAllen Monitor
Peyote pity: For South Texas vendors of the ceremonial drug, business is dwindling June 29, 2008 | Jeremy Roebuck

NEGATIVE IMPACTS On Our PEYOTE MEDICINE
Rustling.
Over Harvesting.
Oil/Gas Companies Lease Acreage and deny access to land.
Land owners clearing and plowing under plants.
Increase demand on medicine.
Weather Conditions.
Improper Harvesting .

PEYOTE IN NATURAL HABITAT

ANECDOTAL INFORMATION
Many botanists know that crowns are stem tissue.
And that the root tissue is under ground.
Some botanists believe that proper harvesting can increase the survival rate of the peyote plant
What is not known is where stem tissue starts and root tissue ends.
.

IMPROPER HARVESTING
Cut was made into the root tissue resulting in total loss of plant.

SYSTEMATIC STUDY NEEDED
Determine dividing line between root and stem.
Study survival patterns.
After study completion make recommendations to authorized harvesters on how to cut plant to encourage re-growth.

USDA/NRCS Proven Track Record
Assisted with developing Bison Herd Ceremonial and Economic Development.
Provided Technical expertise with respect to our traditions.
Why not use that same
resource to help conserve our
other sacred gift Peyote.

COLLABORATION of RESOURCES
Rio Grande NAC, Mark Donet USDA/NRCS RC&D, Alpine TX and Dr. Martin Terry, Department of Biology
Sul Ross State University, Alpine TX.
Initiated 4 year study ( March 2008) at a traditional Peyote Habitat in South Texas to determine proper harvesting and plant re-growth patterns

SYSTEMATIC STUDY MARCH 2008
Clearing around the base of the plant to get a clean cut at ground level. This means cutting the plant just at the base of the green top, leaving the subterranean stem unharmed so it can sprout new tops.
Harvesting the top of the plant with a knife.

SYSTEMATIC STUDY MARCH 2008
Counting the ribs of a freshly cut button in the field.
Weighing the harvested top of the plant.
Record Findings.
.

Petition at the Sacred Desert March 2008
Traditional Huichol Peyote Harvest
Wirikuta Desert
SLP,MX

March 2009 Findings
High number of surviving tap roots.
Average rainfall for impacted area is 20 inches per year.
Exceptional rainfall in Aug. 2008, (4-8 inches) factored into study.

Favorable Re-Growth Patterns
Very encouraging Patterns.
On average 5/6 pups per surviving Tap root.
Continue to monitor
Re-Growth Patterns

Endangered Star Cactus
The Star Cactus placed on endangered list October,1993.
The cactus is is highly prized by collectors.
Loss of habitat. Root-plowing mechanical and chemical process have helped in the decline of this species.
In the near future this cactus might be totally extinct in the Texas territory.

GOALS And OBJECTIVES
Interim Activity
continue to inform practitioners of the
negative impacts
After completion of Peyote Systematic Study
provide findings to Impacted Entities.
Continue Faith in Conservation Practices
to conserve our Sacred Medicine.

Conserving our sacred medicine

by TlaxcaltecaTed on Oct 30, 2011

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Conserving our sacred medicine — Presentation Transcript