Amah Mutsun Land Trust's Native Stewardship Corps
 

Amah Mutsun Workers - July 2015

Amah Mutsun Land Trust's Native Stewardship Corps Working at the Reserve - July 2015


In July the Cañada de los Osos Ecological Reserve was visited by a group of Amah Mutsun tribal members. Of groups that have come to CDLO, this group of youth and adult leaders was one of the most connected to the land, and most willing to learn about the local flora and fauna. The Friends of CDLO wants to thank Amah Mutsun for their week of working on management projects at the Reserve, as well as sharing information on their tribe.
 

(Summary of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust's work at CDLO in July, 2015. Written by Sara French, program director of the AMLT Native Stewardship Corps, and approved by the AMLT research associates and chair of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band).
 

The Amah Mutsun Land Trust's Native Stewardship Corps spent one week working and learning at Cañada de los Osos Ecological Reserve in July, 2015. Cañada de los Osos is right in the heart of Mutsun ancestral territory, and it contains wildlife, archaeological, and ethnobotanical resources that are highly valued by members of the present day Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. The Amah Mutsun are working to regain their role as environmental stewards within their territory, known to them as Popeloutchum, by restoring their traditional knowledge and indigenous resource management practices. Spending time at Cañada de los Osos, surrounded by the native plants and animals that their ancestors depended on and managed for thousands of years, allows Tribal members to reconnect with their homeland, conduct land stewardship in their ancestral territory, and carry important cultural practices forward.
 

Amah Mutsun Workers

Amah Mutsun Workers

The Amah Mutsun Land Trust Native Stewardship Corps contributed over 250 hours of volunteer labor and research work to Cañada de los Osos during their stay. They worked with Cañada de los Osos volunteers to remove invasive species and repair water lines and spring boxes to improve habitat for native plants and wildlife. The Native Stewardship Corps, along with research associates of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, also conducted a surface archaeological survey to understand the extent of an archaeological site on the property, and they did an ethnobotanical survey to document the locations and abundance of plant species of great cultural significance at Cañada de los Osos. The Native Stewardship Corps aims to provide opportunities for young adult Tribal members to gain work experience, practice their traditional resource stewardship, and participate in research and outreach to educate the public about California Indian history and culture, and Cañada de los Osos provided an excellent venue for this work. The Amah Mutsun Land Trust hopes to continue their research and stewardship work at Cañada de los Osos for many years to come. For more information, visit the Amah Mutsun Land Trust website.