Middle Creek Cultural Exchange 2018 - Passport in Time
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California - Mendocino NF
Closed! Middle Creek Restoration and Cultural Exchange Project
Clear Lake, home of the Clear Lake Hitch
CA-4387
August 27-31, 2018
Must commit to entire session
Join us on the Mendocino National Forest (MNF) this summer for a very unique and important PIT project! In partnership with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake (HPUL) Tribe, the MNF is hosting a week-long gathering to learn and share Native American technologies and traditions. Additionally, this year’s endeavor is an extension of the Middle Creek Restoration Project, which was begun last year to help restore water quality in Middle Creek, an important watershed for the Clear Lake Hitch that spawn there each spring. In 2017, we also planted Native flora to help restore bank stability and provide traditional plant resources for the local Pomo Tribes.
During this year’s project, participants will work with HPUL and MNF archaeologists and other resource specialists to assess the effectiveness of the original plantings, and determine future needs for stabilization. We will also conduct archaeological surveys along Middle Creek to help identify archaeological sites and facilitate future plantings. Field trips to known botanical resource areas will be made to identify the health of those resources, and to gather seed where possible for future propagation and planting. However, one of the most exciting parts of this year’s project will be working directly with the Tribe in cultural and technological exchange! Participants will engage in traditional basketry and tule boat/decoy manufacture, traditional plant uses and traditional dancing. In exchange for the sharing of traditional Native technologies, MNF archaeologists will share archaeological methodologies, such as site identification, and how to record and protect archaeological sites. Flintknapping demonstrations, lithic technology presentations, and field trips will also be part of the itinerary. Participants will camp at Middle Creek Campground, adjacent to the main restoration site. Evening activities are planned for some nights, and group potlucks will provide opportunities to engage with local Native Americans and MNF staff in an informal setting. We hope to see you in August for this one-of-a-kind project!
Number of openings: 10
Special skills: No special skills required
Minimum age: 12 years old, under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Tent and small RV (pop-up/trailer) camping at no charge at the Middle Creek Campground near Upper Lake, CA; pit toilets, water, picnic tables and fire hearths; volunteers responsible for personal camping equipment, food (and some for pot-luck sharing), and transportation
Nearest towns: Upper Lake, ~7 miles south of the project area; Nice, ~12 miles southeast of the project area; Lucerne, ~15 miles southeast of the project area
Applications due: June 18, 2018
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