Central Coast Amah Mutsun Tribal Relearning Program

Come see a slide show by Rick Flores on how, for thousands of years, California Indians managed ecosystems and plant communities in the Monterey Bay area north to Ano Nuevo and including Mt. Umunhum. These practices sustained ecosystems and affected the composition of plant communities that were first seen by European explorers. These indigenous skills of tending the land are known as traditional ecological knowledge.

Today, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, descendants of the Mutsun and Awaswas speaking survivors the Santa Cruz and San Juan Bautista missions, are working hard to restore and relearn the wisdom of their ancestors in order to steward their traditional tribal territory once again.

Through the formation of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, they have forged relationships with environmental groups, state and federal agencies, conservation organizations and educational institutions in an effort to gain access to their traditional tribal territory and relearn these practices.

Rick’s talk will focus on this traditional ecological knowledge and how it is being cultivated through innovative projects and restoration work at places like Pinnacles National Park. Native gardens have also been established at Castle Rock State Park, Pie Ranch, UCSC Arboretum and San Juan Bautista.

Rick Flores is the Director of Horticulture and Steward of the Amah Mutsun Relearning Program at the UCSC Arboretum and Botanical Garden and is also a Research Associate for the Amah Mutsun Land Trust. He enjoys being outdoors hiking, backpacking, fishing, mountain biking and bird watching.


When: Thursday, January 17th at 7:00 PM. Come at 6:30 for healthy snacks and socializing with other environmental and plant loving folks.

Where: The Live Oak (Green) Grange Hall at 1900 17th Ave. near Capitola Rd.

Free. Donations appreciated.

All are welcome. Tell your friends.