Our mission
The Agave Restoration Initiative, established and led by Bat Conservation International (BCI) with over 100 partners across Mexico and the United States, is the world’s first landscape-scale foraging habitat restoration effort for migratory bats. Launched in 2018, the Initiative is restoring a 1,200-km "nectar corridor" spanning Mexico and the U.S. Southwest that is essential to the survival of three nectar bat species – including the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat – and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of rural people.
Populations of the Mexican long-nosed bat have declined by 50% with fewer than 10,000 remaining, largely due to agave loss from unsustainable grazing, drought, wildfire, and overharvest. The degradation of the agave corridor not only pushes these bats towards extinction but also threatens the livelihoods of people who depend on agaves.
The Agave Restoration Initiative is building the complete restoration supply chain needed for success at scale.
We are establishing agave seed networks, building community nurseries for agave production, restoring degraded land, and planting agaves in climate-resilient areas. We support community green businesses, regenerative agriculture and ranching, and innovative monitoring technologies. Regional partner networks, community training, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing strengthen local capacity.
At a broader scale, the Initiative provides a replicable model for restoring connected migratory corridors worldwide.
Funding campaign*
Yes | https://www.batcon.org/our-work/endangered-species-interventions/agave-restorat…Classification
- Farmlands
- Forests
- Grasslands, shrublands and savannahs
- Mountains
- Urban areas, human settlements, gardens
- Increases Health & Wellbeing
- Mitigates Climate Change
- Protects Freshwaters
- Reduces Disaster Risks
- Safeguards Biodiversity
- Supports Livelihoods
15
Employees1300
VolunteersImpact
The Agave Restoration Initiative unites over 100 partners including ejidos, ranchers, NGOs, government agencies, and universities to co-develop community-based conservation, land restoration, and sustainable development actions that support recovery of threatened pollinating bats while enhancing rural livelihoods.
Working across 9 Mexican and U.S. states, we have: restored or protected 5,886 hectares; planted 185,500 agaves; built or supported 26 nurseries; created 8 regional agave seed banks; and collected 1 million agave seeds.
The Initiative supports sustainable livelihoods, benefitting approximately 33,000 people through green jobs, restoration, training, and education. To date, 400 people have been employed in green jobs; 472 people have increased income from green businesses or improved ranch productivity; and 21 community green businesses (including 8 women-led) have been supported.
Long-term success is strengthened through regional collaboration (4 networks established); training (270 people trained in restoration and sustainable management); peer learning (10 “exchanges of experiences” hosted); and education (1.5 million people reached globally).
Innovative monitoring technologies (including environmental DNA) and community science networks have led to the discovery of the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat in a new state and a 160-kilometer range shift.
The Initiative also drives policy impact, including strengthened protection of critical bat roosts in Mexico and integration of bat conservation into management plans for multiple Protected Areas.
By focusing on agaves – non-tree keystone plants with immense ecological, economic, and cultural value – the Initiative advances 15 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, sustaining migratory bats while delivering lasting socio-economic benefits.
By 2030, we aim to establish 500,000 agaves and bring 154,000 hectares under restoration, protection, or sustainable management with 50 communities across the region.
