Land Acknowledgment

Da?aw (Lake Tahoe) is the homeland of the waší·šiw (Washoe people – the people from here). The waší·šiw are the aboriginal stewards of the land in and around the Lake Tahoe Basin since the beginning of time and as a sovereign nation the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, as it is known today, continues to advocate for the protection and preservation of waší·šiw ?ítde? (the Washoe peoples homelands). The waší·šiw relied on the land for survival; hunting, fishing, and gathering of traditional foods and medicines within their homelands was an integral part of the wá·šiw (Washoe) culture and through this intrinsic relationship they helped shape the natural beauty of the Lake Tahoe Basin that so many enjoy today. As colonizers arrived in mass in the Comstock during the gold rush era, the wá·šiw summer camps became prime locations for logging and cattle grazing and the waší·šiw were no longer allowed to manage their lands as they had done for millenniums. The removal of wá·šiw people from the land and increase in tourism to the Lake Tahoe Basin has negatively impacted an area that is not only renowned for its natural beauty and pristine waters but is now in dire need of rehabilitation.  The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California has maintained their role as environmental stewards of the Lake Tahoe Basin (despite policies that sought to eradicate them) by continuing to advocate for their homelands and to protect, respect, and take care of waší·šiw ?ítde?. As we acknowledge the Lake Tahoe Basin as the homeland of the waší·šiw, we ask that you, as visitors to our homelands/these lands, treat this place with the same respect as those who walked before you, the waší·šiw. 
(source) 

To learn more about the Washoe people, we encourage you visit their website, where you can learn more about their history.

Inclusive Practices

The UC California Naturalist Program (CalNat) is committed to creating a safe, inclusive space that advances equity. The CalNat program has taken the following steps to create a more inclusive, accessible conference.

• Inclusion of equitable sliding-scale registration fees to reduce financial barriers.
• Implementation of a DEIJ Committee to review and revise conference materials at all levels to ensure an inclusive conference.
• Prioritization of Tribal inclusion by adopting official Washoe land acknowledgment and inviting Washoe tribe members to participate in the conference.
• Identification of gender neutral facilities (such as bathrooms) to create an inclusive environment for attendees.
• Organization of a small ‘Free Library’ to provide attendees access to educational resources.
• Identification of accessible routes and rooms to ensure all participants are able to successfully navigate the Granlibakken.
• Prioritization of diverse presenters, speakers, and participants.
• Supported our partner organizations who are doing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice work.

The UC California Naturalist Program is continually working on incorporating inclusive practices. We are open to feedback and continue to strive to make the conference accessible. Please provide your opinions and suggestions during the conference to a staff member or on the feedback form at the end of the conference.