California's Native plants are more than just a resource; they are our living link between culture, health, and the land. For millennia, Indigenous peoples have stewarded hundreds of these plants for food, medicine, and fiber, cultivating a vast, biodiverse ecosystem. Today, Native practitioners continue to gather, prepare, and share these foods, keeping traditions alive and landscapes resilient. Yet while these practices endure, Native foods are still largely absent from mainstream food systems—making it all the more vital to recognize and support the knowledge keepers who sustain them.

This event is a direct response. Join this one-day gathering that celebrates the profound connection between these foods and the health of our communities.  

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This event is for anyone committed to learning, collaborating, and building a more ethical future rooted in our Native foodways. We welcome participants from across all disciplines who are interested in this work. This includes:

• Tribal leaders and traditional knowledge holders

• Academic researchers across disciplines

• Government agency representatives

• Food system practitioners and entrepreneurs

• Students and community members

Everyone is welcome here. We believe that by working together, we can revitalize cultures, heal our communities, and restore the land for generations to come.

This event is hosted by UC Davis Dept of Plant Sciences. For more information, visit: https://nativeplantfoods.ucdavis.edu/