Camas burn blends traditional knowledge, emerging science - Northwest Treaty Tribes

Camas burn blends traditional knowledge, emerging science - Northwest Treaty Tribes

For generations, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has had little access to the traditional food camas, and even less opportunity to burn the landscape in ways historically used to enhance the plant’s growth. In September, Swinomish tribal members, staff, and guests from other tribes and conservation organizations took a step in reigniting the practice with a small controlled burn. The burn took place at test plots the tribe is using to stud…