Plant Gathering for Traditional Purposes

Artwork by Mary Motola, Tribal elder, artist, and historian, Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians

 

 

Overview

In spring 2026 the National Park Service (NPS) finalized an Environmental Assessment (EA) that created a framework for gathering plants and plant parts for traditional purposes by federally recognized Tribal members traditionally associated with Yosemite National Park.

The EA evaluated the potential environmental effects associated with traditional plant gathering. Two alternatives were analyzed: Alternative A (No Action), under which plant gathering for traditional purposes would not occur, and Alternative B (Proposed Action), under which the National Park Service would enter into an agreement with five federally recognized Tribes to allow sustainable, limited gathering supported by monitoring and mitigation measures.

Planning Process and Timeline

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

EVENT	DATE
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process Begins	January 10, 2025
Public Scoping Begins	January 13, 2025
Public Scoping Closes	February 12, 2025
Environmental Assessment Comment Period Begins	August 28, 2025
Environmental Assessment Comment Period Ends	September 27, 2025
National Park Service Final Decision	Spring 2026

 

Left: Historic image of Maggie Howard gathering manzanita; Right: Historic image of Maggie Howard filling a chuckah (acorn granary/storage).

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.

Yosemite National Park maintains a long-standing and ongoing relationship with seven Traditionally Associated Tribes, regularly engaging in consultation and collaboration, including: 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 Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians.

Prior to the creation of this environmental assessment, removal or disturbance of plants or plant parts in the park was prohibited, except where authorized in the Superintendent’s Compendium. The uncertain access to park lands for traditional practices impacted the transfer of cultural practices between generations. Yosemite National Park actively worked 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 (36 CFR 2.6) allowing park units to negotiate and enter into agreements with federally recognized Tribes for the gathering of plants or plant parts. The NPShad to evaluate potential effects from gathering plants by traditional Tribal methods before entering into agreements.

Purpose and Need for this Plan

This environmental assessment (EA) establishes 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 lays the groundwork 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.

As of the writing of this EA, Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation and the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe of California and Nevada have not been federally recognized. Both non-federally recognized Tribes have made significant contributions to developing this gathering agreement. Yosemite National Park initiated conversations with the seven traditionally associated tribes to define an alternative avenue for working with non-federally recognized Tribes to help maintain access to traditional gathering practices. The park acknowledges the enduring and significant ties all seven Traditionally Associated Tribes have with Yosemite and does not intend for this EA to alter existing and ongoing collaboration with non-federally recognized Tribes or diminish Tribal members' access to traditional practices.

 

Left: Acorn crop; Middle: Dogbane; Right: Willow

 

Public Outreach

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

Public Engagement During the Planning Process

• In early 2025, we invited you to join us in sharing your insights related to gathering plants and plant parts for traditional purposes by tribal members traditionally associated with Yosemite. Your feedback was instrumental in helping the planning team develop the environmental assessment.

• In late summer 2025, we invited you to comment on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA).

Documents

• Plant Gathering for Traditional Purposes Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

• Plant Gathering for Traditional Purposes Draft Environmental Assessment [5.2 MB PDF]

 

Tribal members steward black oak groves by creating burn piles out of dead and down wood, planting saplings and collecting acorn near El Capitan.