Plants for People: Bringing Traditional Ecological Knowledge to Restoration, 2014-2016.

The Plants for People project integrated native plant production, culturally important plant species, and traditional ecological knowledge into restoration at two Willamette Valley sites in 2014-16. Seeds of coast tarweed, cow parsnip and barestem biscuitroot were collected and put into production, with 10 pounds of tarweed seed harvested in 2016. Large camas, Gairdner’s yampah and four other species were grown in raised in beds, with large bulbs and roots harvested two years later. Cuttings of six shrub species were planted in beds, with Pacific willow being the most successful. Restoration at Herbert Farm and Natural Area and Champoeg State Park included herbicide treatments, mowing, and a prescribed burn to prepare sites for planting and manage weed invasion. Diverse native seed mixes, bare root forbs, trees, and shrubs were planted at the restoration sites. Tribal elders contributed knowledge about traditional uses and restoration plans and performed a tribal ceremony to celebrate the planting of camas and yampah from the tribal nursery. Building on these successes, a Tribal Native Plant Materials Program Development Plan was created to guide plant production at Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.