Abstract
In July of 2022, the Wiyot Tribe bought back one of their first pieces of ancestral forest within the Mouralherwaqh "more-RAH-share-wahg" village area (Wiyot, 2022). Before this repatriation, the Tribe owned less than 1% of their ancestral lands; after, the Tribe’s land holdings increased by 10% (Reclaiming Mouralherwaqh | Humboldt NOW | Cal Poly Humboldt, 2022). Mouralherwaqh is a 46 acre coastal site located near present day King Salmon, California and has high ecological and culturally significant values (Wiyot, 2022). Prior to the change of ownership, Mouralherwaqh was privately-owned and in 2014 underwent a clear-cut timber harvest within eight-acres of the site. Leaving the site unmanaged since then, has experienced an invasion from various non-native plant species. Once the property became available for purchase in 2021, the Wiyot led the acquisition with the intention of using it for Tribal gatherings such as ceremonies, dances, and educational opportunities. The acquisition of Mouralherwaqh has allowed for the Tribe to begin developing an ecocultural restoration and management plan prioritizing cultural connections and protection of water quality (Reclaiming Mouralherwaqh | Humboldt NOW | Cal Poly Humboldt, 2022), focused within the eight-acre plot. This project created collaborations with Cal Poly Humboldt, allowing students within the departments of Environmental Science and Management, and Environmental Engineering to play supportive roles in collecting research for the Tribe.
Date
Spring 2024
Department
Environmental Science & Management
Concentration/Emphasis
Ecological Restoration
Advisor/Professor
Dr. Daniel (Bubba) Lipe
Citation Style
APA
Included in
Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons