A binational effort has planted over 116,000 agave plants and protected 13,500 acres to support endangered bats and sustainable farming. The Agave Restoration Initiative, launched by Bat Conservation International, collaborates with communities in the U.S. Southwest and Mexico. As of January 2025, it has created 250 jobs and promoted bat-friendly practices amid rising agave demand.
The Agave Restoration Initiative represents a key step in balancing agave production for sweeteners like nectar and syrup with environmental protection. Mexico, the sole source of agave, faces challenges from monoculture farming that reduces biodiversity and harms pollinators such as the endangered long-nosed bat. These bats rely on agave flowers for food, but early harvesting for tequila and mezcal production eliminates this resource.
The initiative, a collaboration between Bat Conservation International and partners across the U.S. Southwest and Mexico, addresses this by working with farming communities. As of January 2025, the program has planted over 116,000 agaves, protected or restored more than 13,500 acres, supported 26 community and private nurseries, and generated over 250 local employment opportunities. It encourages sustainable practices, including bat-friendly certification that allows portions of agave crops to flower, preserving bat populations and agave genetic diversity.
Agave itself is a low-impact crop, requiring minimal water and boasting a carbon footprint of 0.1 kg CO2-equivalent per kilogram of sugar. Hand-harvesting in some cases avoids gas-powered machinery. However, commercial production's environmental toll underscores the need for such initiatives. Buying organic, fair trade agave that supports bat conservation can mitigate these impacts, promoting both ecological health and farmer livelihoods.