Project overview: Establish the groundwork for a Tribal plant gathering agreement, which will advance the inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge in Yosemite.

How your support helps: The ancestors of people affiliated with the seven Tribes and nations of Yosemite National Park have relied on ancestral wisdom generated over millennia to care for the plants and animals of this place to sustain and grow their families, cultures, and spiritual beliefs. In 2016, the National Park Service Gathering Plant and Plant Parts by Federally Recognized Tribes regulation came into effect, requiring an environmental assessment (EA). This grant will fund the completion of an EA in-house, using a combination of NPS, Tribal partnerships, and contracting resources.  

“A thoughtful, well-crafted Tribal plant gathering plan would ensure Tribes have the opportunities to collect native plant material legally, sustainably, and in a traditional manner that protects and enhances tribal cultures and park resources,” said Bridgeport Indian Colony Tribal Chair Herbert Glazier. 

This year: The completion of an EA with alternatives developed in consultation with participating Tribes will set a precedent for NPS and help provide a blueprint for other parks developing similar agreements. 

Project partners: Seven Affiliated Tribes of Yosemite, Yosemite National Park

Herbert Glazer

Bridgeport Indian Colony Tribal Chairman

Project Notes

“A thoughtful, well-crafted Tribal plant gathering plan would ensure Tribes have the opportunities to collect native plant material legally, sustainably and in a traditional manner that protects and enhances Tribal cultures and park resources.”