Catalyzing Collaborations Between Native American Tribes and Conservation Organizations for Mutually Improved Capacity Building, Plant Management, and Plant Propagation

This presentation describes the emergence of a partnership network consisting of conservation organizations including botanic gardens, indigenous institutions and tribal governments throughout North America. The network emerged from a Southwest US collaborative effort among botanic gardens and indigenous partners to share conservation horticultural knowledge related to plant conservation and utilization. I will report on the history of this emerging partnership group, provide examples of past and ongoing collaborative plant conservation projects with indigenous partners, and share lessons learned for successful partnerships. Collaborative efforts include supporting plant and especially oak conservation with the Jamul Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Pala Band of Mission Indians and Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, scheduling plant workshops to increase botanical skills, and providing assistance for the development of community gardens, nurseries, and farms for the listed partners and newer developing partnerships, such as the Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians. The presentation will focus on strategies for conservation organizations including botanic gardens seeking to engage in indigenous partnerships, identification of some unique challenges and opportunities of such partnerships, and next steps for the emerging partnership network.