BORDERLANDS RESTORATION NETWORK
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MESQUITE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

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​The Mesquite Stewardship Program is an educational program for local community members interested in exploring the nutritional, societal, ecological, and economic value of the mesquite tree and its surrounding habitat. Together participants learn about the benefits and uses of the regional natural resource, the iconic mesquite tree.

​In Gary Nabhan's "Mesquite Manifesto" he states, "Within the US, border counties have twice the level of poverty and food insecurity as the national average. But how do we deal with the irony that some of these same counties harbor the highest levels of biodiversity anywhere in North America? In other words, they have an abundance of underutilized natural resources that may help lift residents out of poverty, if properly managed. Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) is one of them. A mesquite-based restoration economy may help keep in place those who do not wish to leave their homes to cross border and take refuge in cities for lack of other economic activities."

MESQUITE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

BRN Senior Fellows, Gary Nabhan, ethnobotanist and author, and Laurie Monti, cultural ecologist, have hosted several educational workshop series in Patagonia including topics such as the history and uses of mesquite, cooking with mesquite flour, as well as pod harvesting walks teaching community members how to harvest pods. Mesquite milling workshops followed including use of a hammermill that has been purchased and made available for community use to make mesquite flour. These workshops led to the formation of the Mesquite Stewardship Program to further build skills, learn, and connect across different communities in Southern Arizona with a shared passion for mesquite. 
 
Mesquite Stewards are committed to expanding the general knowledge about mesquite’s food uses and nutritional benefits, valued-added products that can be made from mesquite, learning new skills, championing the use of mesquite, exploring mesquite's role in a restorative economy, and its importance in our landscapes for habitat and wildlife.

The Mesquite Stewardship Program provides ongoing workshops, educational talks and field trips for participants. 

Is it free to join? What is the time commitment?
 
If you’d like to learn more and join the Mesquite Stewardship Program, please contact Juliet Jivanti, Educational Coordinator, jjivanti@borderlandsrestoration.org.


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​UPCOMING DATES & EVENTS

Check back soon for workshop & programming dates.

​"And yet, as global temperatures continue to rise, as groundwater levels plummet, and as rivers and reservoirs dry up, social conflicts and poverty will inevitably worsen in the US/Mexico borderlands. How do we move toward a cohesive, binational plan with tangible solutions to alleviate these problems? We feel that a concerted effort to better utilize the many arid adaptation of mesquite trees can leverage new solutions."- Gary Nabhan
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Location

Physical Address:
1 School Street
​Patagonia, AZ 85624

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 121
Patagonia, AZ 85624

Contact Us

General Contact:
E-mail: 
info@borderlandsrestoration.org
Phone Number: (520) 216-4148

BR Native Plant Nursery

42 San Antonio Road, Patagonia, AZ
**See instructions for how to buy our plants.**
Contact: Francesca Claverie, Native Plant Program Manager 
​E-mail: horticulture@borderlandsrestoration.org
Phone Number: (520) 276-2483

BRN Seed Lab

1 School Street - Patagonia, AZ
**online sales only**
Email: horticulture@borderlandsrestoration.org
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Hours of Office Operation:
**BRN is currently operating mostly remotely. Please contact us via email or by phone.**
Monday-Thursday: 8AM-3PM
Friday: By Appointment
​Saturday-Sunday: Closed
  • Who We Are
    • BRN Mission & Vision >
      • Policies
      • Annual Report
      • Strategic Plan
    • Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
    • Why a Network
    • Meet Our Team
    • BRN Fellows
    • Meet the Network >
      • Borderlands Restoration Network 501c3
      • Borderlands Restoration, L3c
      • Wildlife Corridors
      • Cuenca Los Ojos
    • Meet Our Partners
  • What we do
    • Educational Programs >
      • Borderlands Earth Care Youth Institute
      • Water is Life
      • Field Studies
      • Women Grow Food
    • Native Plant Program >
      • Native Plant Program
      • Our Plants & Seeds
      • Wholesale & Contract Opportunities
      • Current Projects & Initiatives
      • Regional Seed Strategy
    • Watershed & Habitat Restoration >
      • Quail Habitat Restoration
      • Path Of The Jaguar
    • Borderlands Wildlife Preserve
  • News
  • Events
    • Nature Walk Program
  • Donate
  • Join Us
    • Job Opportunities
    • Volunteer
    • ENewsletter
  • Blog
  • Buy Seeds & Merch