Plant Gathering for Traditional Purposes

Overview

The National Park Service (NPS) is initiating an opportunity for public comment on developing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for gathering plants and plant parts for traditional purposes by tribal members traditionally associated with Yosemite National Park. Comments will be accepted from January 13 through February 12, 2025. During the comment period share your insights on what the NPS should include in their analysis. Consider the potential effects (both beneficial and negative) from traditionally associated tribal members gathering and tending plants for traditional purposes.

Planning Process and Timeline

The anticipated schedule for planning milestones and additional opportunities for public review and input are as follows:

Background and History

For millennia humans have lived in, interacted with, and stewarded the landscapes in what today is known as Yosemite National Park. Tribes’ creation stories are tied to the landscape of Yosemite. The descendants of the first people maintain connections to the landscape through customary activities rooted in the traditions and histories of the tribes, including gathering plants for ceremonial use or sustenance.

The seven traditionally associated tribes that Yosemite National Park regularly consults with, and who will be included in this planning effort include, Bishop Paiute Tribe, Bridgeport Indian Colony, Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe of California and Nevada, North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California, Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation (also known as American Indian Council of Mariposa County), and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians.

Currently, removal or disturbance of plants or plant parts in the park is prohibited, except where authorized in the Superintendent’s Compendium. The uncertain access to park lands for traditional practices has impacted the transfer of cultural practices between generations. Yosemite National Park is actively working with the seven traditionally associated tribes to continue to strengthen relationships and develop collaborative strategies that demonstrate shared interests in managing, conserving, and preserving park resources.

In 2016, The National Park Service (NPS) issued regulations allowing park units to negotiate and enter into agreements with federally recognized tribes for the gathering of plants or plant parts. The NPS must evaluate potential effects from gathering plants by traditional tribal methods before entering into agreements.

Purpose and Need for this Plan

This environmental assessment will establish a framework through which members of tribes traditionally associated with Yosemite National Park may gather plants and plant parts for traditional purposes. The plan is needed to protect park resources, ensure cultural continuance in association with tribal gathering and Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and comply with 36 CFR § 2.6 - Gathering of Plants or Plant Parts by Federally Recognized Indian tribes.

A plant gathering request on behalf of the seven tribes traditionally associated with Yosemite National Park was initiated by the Bridgeport Indian Colony in August of 2022. This project will lay the path for a plant gathering agreement which will help ensure tribes can collect native plant material legally, sustainably and in a traditional manner that protects and enhances tribal cultures and park resources.

Public Outreach

Engaging with the public is an important part of this planning process and is essential when exploring management alternatives.

How to Comment

We want your feedback! During the public scoping period share your insights on what the National Park Service should include in their analysis. Consider the potential effects (both beneficial and negative) from traditionally associated tribal members gathering and tending plants for traditional purposes.

Submit comments online. This preliminary comment period closes on February 12, 2025.