Original Source: news.sonoma.edu
In a remarkable collaboration, Sonoma State’s Anthropological Studies Center (ASC) is working alongside the Nisenan Tribe and State Parks to uncover and protect the cultural treasures hidden within California’s landscape. Boosted by over $3 million from the California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Cannabis Watershed Protection Program (CWPP), ASC is diligently documenting historical resources scattered across illegal cannabis cultivation sites, ensuring they are integrated into restoration projects. Mark Selverston, the principal investigator, emphasizes the importance of rediscovering overlooked histories, including Native American artifacts and remnants from the Gold Rush era, concluding that each find enriches our understanding of California’s intricate past.
The CWPP, born from Proposition 64 in 2019, aims at healing the environmental scars left by illicit cannabis cultivation. A multidisciplinary team, including cultural and natural resource experts, law enforcement, and public educators, collectively works to minimize the impact on both cultural and natural environments. Recognizing the continuous presence of illegal grows on remote park lands, Darren Andolina of the CWPP states that understanding and preserving these cultural sites is vital to their ethos.
At the heart of these efforts is the partnership with the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, known for their sacred ties to the Yuba River watershed. Shelly Covert, the Tribe’s spokesperson, reveals the deeper connection indigenous people have to their heritage, advocating for the restoration of access to sacred lands. This acknowledgment of historical injustices and a sincere commitment to facilitate tribal authority over these lands binds the historical narratives together, allowing them to rise from the shadows of neglect.
ASC’s work also serves as a training ground for Sonoma State students like Amanda Jorgenson, who immerse themselves in real-world experiences that bridge academic knowledge with fieldwork. Their contributions, from archaeological documentation to storytelling, forge a tangible link between the past and present, underscoring how each discovery aids the preservation of California’s rich heritage. Jorgenson’s passion reflects the sentiment shared by many engaged in this essential work—bringing the stories of the land and its people to light, one element at a time.
The collaboration between Sonoma State’s Anthropological Studies Center (ASC), the Nisenan Tribe, and State Parks revolves around the preservation of cultural resources in California, particularly in the wake of illegal cannabis cultivation. The Cannabis Watershed Protection Program (CWPP) was established to restore areas damaged by illicit grows and to recover overlooked historical artifacts. This initiative not only aims to remediate environmental harm but also seek recognition and protection for cultural sites, which are critical to understanding California’s diverse historical tapestry.
This collaboration illustrates a harmonious balance between environmental stewardship and cultural preservation, weaving together stories from the land and its people. By protecting cultural resources through initiatives like the CWPP, ASC, with tribal involvement, is offering a path to heal past injustices while enriching our understanding of the region’s heritage. Engaging students in this journey ensures that the lessons learned will continue to resonate through future generations, illuminating the cultural narratives that define California.
