In this episode I sit down with Leo Mercado, The Peyote Lorax. Leo, a career botanist, serves as the cultivation director and liaison for a non profit called the Morning Star Conservancy. Their mission is simply to ‘protect and preserve our sacrament.’  In this episode Leo illustrates the threats that are facing the peyote cactus on a grand scale. Then describes efforts in developing solutions to this issue. Throughout the conversation, Leo shares stories and experiences from his journey on what many call the peyote road.  ———links——— Www.morningstarconservancy.org -Morning Star Conservancy  https://www.crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt.com/thornscrub-sanctuary-preliminary-action-plan https://www.reddit.com/r/CPBBD/comments/190uu9d/thornscrub_sanctuary_land_conservation_project_in/ -Thornscrub Sanctuary preliminary action plan and the quest for the nicest visitor center restroom in Texas. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5TdaN5hzNbXBUTPgTVfrxf?si=5VQ6k0nQRiCi2srF3krLPw -An episode from Peyote Podcast entitled: “Talking to the Peyote Lorax about life and peyote conversation”. In this conversation, The Lorax updates us on their progress, efforts, and events in the pursuit to protect our sacrament. https://open.spotify.com/episode/786lc0QtV0TKjcnw5QkliM?si=HW9kAqeXQEGXfNIxLLQruA -A conversation about Peyote with Leo Mercado and Joey Santore. An episode from the ‘Crime Pays, But Botany Doesn’t’ podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Hai1km0ko8PlP0C1WU9Pu?si=J38ks5-lQ_Wi6fM5WQl9hQ -“ History, Culture, and Tradition of Peyote with Leo Mercado.” - an episode from the ‘Lunacy’ podcast.