We protect what we love.
Solution
All of us, regardless of our connection to the living world, must not turn our backs on the natural environment’s power to heal. Many of us are aware of how plants and animals can heal us emotionally. However, we are less familiar with how natural processes, referred to as Lo-Tek — defined as simple, unsophisticated, uncomplicated, and predating the industrial revolution — can help stabilize the climate. These natural processes employ more stable restoration techniques that are already present around us to protect against biodiversity loss.
Ancient Wisdom —— Landrace species are at the heart of this.
We can all speak out for change—and for some of us, protecting animals is where we find our voice.
Restoring Balance
Indigenous and traditional communities, having embraced this mindset thousands of years ago, now possess a global reservoir of knowledge and indigenous innovation that is invaluable—but only if we invest in preserving it. In the foreseeable future, the loss of these technologies and landraces will rank alongside species extinction as one of the major losses of the 21st century.
While there are promising avenues for improvement, shifting the mindset around restoration may be more challenging than it seems. In past experiences, people can be defensive and often become stuck in using practices that previously worked well or that are currently popular. However, as climate change continues to impact our approach to the natural world, agriculture will also be affected. We will need to constantly rethink our role in preserving the environment.
The time to make those changes is imminent.
But thinking about how to combat climate change can be overwhelming. “How can I influence system-wide changes or impact large corporations?” you might ask yourself. One crucial industry where we can make a difference is agriculture. Utilizing a landrace species, like the Churro sheep, fosters a symbiotic relationship with the local flora and fauna, which helps protect biodiversity
Churro sheep can restore the balance.
Climate change and biodiversity loss are inseparable threats to humankind and must be addressed together. We are just starting to understand how the planetary environmental systems are already in place to help mitigate damage caused by our overuse of the system. The preservation of the Churro sheep and learning its role in climate change mitigation is one that we can use right now to make a positive difference.
Rio Milagro Foundation plans to find out how desert landraces like the churro benefit the landscape that is becoming hotter and drier.
Solutions
Helping humans to adapt to the reality of Climate change.
Our approach is to observe, learn from, and develop natural technologies from the adaptations of species that developed through millennium.
Rio Milagro Foundation plans to study and investigate the feasibility of a conservation strategy for the landrace churro based on the innovative use of its grazing habits and unique wool. This will create new value to the landrace sheep and allow further income to churro shepherds.
Through this, we exist to repair a broken system, heal a damaged planet, and empower people in New Mexico and surrounding areas to create a better future through regenerative systems using landrace species.
