In the Sonoran Sky Islands, grasslands and mixed ecosystem rangelands are a defining feature that sustain a diversity of life. Across the region, 80% of grasslands are currently managed for cattle use. Unlike in Arizona, where there are large tracts of public lands, in Sonora, the majority of land is owned and managed by ranchers. They are the stewards that have been taking care of and living off this landscape for generations, and they hold the future of flowing water, plants, and animals in their hands. Our goal at Sky Island Alliance is to nurture this culture of land stewards and continue to evolve cattle management and landscape restoration activities through regenerative ranching. This will help protect and regenerate the Sky Islands as a healthy, holistic, biodiverse, and productive region.
Regenerative ranching is a rangeland management practice that works with nature to ensure human communities thrive alongside healthy soil, ecosystems, and wildlife populations. There are many descriptions for holistic management practices, but the essence is rooted in a deep observation and relationship with the landscape, and thus making management decisions by adapting to the cycles and needs of nature.
So, what do we do? We build relationships based on trust, and we don’t blame ranchers, but instead we acknowledge that they are part of the past, present, and future of stewarding these special places. We co-develop solutions that benefit ranch efforts, and we focus on rebuilding soil health, vegetative cover, and the capacity to retain rainwater — thus building biodiversity and resilience against climate change. We seek to work with private ranches and communal ejidos for the benefit of the ranch and the natural systems that make up our Sky Island landscape.
What does the program look like in action? We focus on four main components in collaboration with ranchers:
- Rangeland Management
- Restoration Activities
- Conservation Agreements
- Diversified Economy
Explore the menu above to learn more about the program, where we work, and how to participate. And if you have questions, contact Zach Palma, program director for the southern Sky Islands.
