Support COL's Native Food, Fiber, and Medicine Program!

An ITEK-informed solution to biomass utilization for 21st century ecological conditions and challenges draws upon diverse ancestral traditions that build upon time-honored relationships between humans and plants of all kinds, including non-timber products made from native and non-native forest, grassland and riparian species now found in California ecosystems. 

Disposal and utilization of excess biomass from land management activities has long posed logistical and financial challenges for conservation managers and fuels reduction specialists in California. Much like the “cradle-to-grave” solutions offered by licensed timber operators in fuels reduction and fire recovery projects in modern forestry, COL’s “seed-to-shelf” framework utilizes the expertise of Indigenous culture bearers to develop value-added solutions for Tribal partners for cultural and economic uses of native, non-native and invasive plant materials for food, fiber, and medicine in ways that contribute to Tribal food sovereignty, community health, and cultural preservation goals while financially supporting self-sustaining ITEK land tending operations on Tribal, public and private conservation properties. 

We are raising funds to develop our program so we may support Indigenous cultural practitioners in these areas to share their knowledge, products, and wisdom with Tribal and underserved communities throughout California! 

Please visit the donation page below to contribute to our efforts. Thank you!