The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment reports that its partner, the Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California, convened and led a group of 90 fire practitioners in a culturally centered prescribed fire training last month. This California Training Exchange burn brought together community members, fire professionals and tribal practitioners to support beneficial fire and offer experiential training opportunities, said organizers.
Sierra Institute points out that this Cal-TREX burn was especially significant in that it brought together several different Maidu tribes — Berry Creek, Konkow, Mooretown, Enterprise, Strawberry Valley, Greenville, Nisenan and others — on Maidu land, led by the Berry Creek Rancheria. The week was filled with a mix of cultural events — including a youth day and demonstrations of foods, fiber and medicines that are native to the land — and three days of burning in the field.
This event was years in the making and an opportunity created by fire and growing partnerships, said organizers. After the North Complex Fire the Berry Creek Tribe was able to purchase 60 acres of its ancestral lands. As a result of the fire, the land was littered with hazardous trees and choked with invasive plant growth that limited the competition of native species. Over the past few years, Berry Creek Rancheria has partnered with Sierra Institute and the High Road Training Partnership to train and deploy a local tribal workforce. Now, Berry Creek Rancheria has multiple trained and certified crews clearing, burning, protecting and tending to their lands.
