Tending the Wild

"Tending the Wild" explores the deep connection between California’s native peoples and the land, revealing how indigenous communities actively managed and cultivated their environment through centuries of practices such as harvesting, tilling, and burning. Drawing from historical sources and Native American testimonies, the book challenges stereotypes of Native Americans as mere hunter-gatherers, highlighting their role as stewards and agents of ecological change. It underscores the importance of traditional ecological knowledge as a vital resource for contemporary conservation and sustainable living.