Students from Summer 2025 TEK workshop (at the Tending and Gathering Garden) examine the wetland pond

TEK Summer Program 2025 – A Season of Learning, Connection, and Growth!

What an amazing summer it’s been! Our TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) students explored the beauty and balance of our local lands while learning from Indigenous teachings that connect people, plants, water, and wildlife under the great leadership of Diana Almendariz, Cultural Knowledge Bearer (Maidu, Wintun, Hupa, Yurok).

Over five weeks in July, we walked through wetlands, hiked along creeks, and explored thriving ecosystems at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Putah Creek South Fork Reserve, and the Tending and Gathering Garden at Cache Creek Nature Preserve.

Students learned how to identify native plants, work with tule and cattail, understand the role of invertebrates in cleaning the water, and even practiced fire safety during a cultural burn demonstration!

From making pine nut necklaces and walnut dice to journaling reflections and testing their knowledge, every week was filled with curiosity, creativity, and community spirit.

Most importantly, we learned how caring for the land means caring for ourselves — how traditional ecological knowledge teaches stewardship, gratitude, and balance. Thank you to all our students, families, and mentors who made this season so special.

Here’s to continuing the work of protecting, learning from, and honoring the land together — one story, one plant, and one step at a time.

We are grateful for the financial support for this program from West Sacramento Mayor’s Youth Climate Fund, administered by SacBreathe.

Thank-you also Yolo Basin Foundation for their support, especially Community Engagement Coordinator Rogelio Aguilar Lopez and all the volunteers that attended the program. Thanks also to Professor Geoffrey Attardo for his teachings.

This program would not have been possible without attentive coordination by Christina Almendariz, with assistance from Bear Tate.