Watch Tending Nature

Tending Nature is a documentary series produced by KCET that explores traditional ecological knowledge and methods practiced by Indigenous peoples of the Americas. This show takes the viewers on a journey to understand how these methods are still relevant and applicable in today's world.

The show delves into various aspects of these Indigenous practices, including food production, water conservation, land stewardship, and cultural preservation. Throughout the series, the audience is introduced to different Indigenous communities living across North America, from the coastal tribes of California to the Dine (Navajo) people of Arizona and New Mexico. Each episode showcases their unique customs, beliefs, and practices, and how they improve their relationship with nature.

Tending Nature is more of an educational program rather than traditional entertainment. It presents viewers with a wealth of information about how human beings can have a harmonious relationship with the environment. The show is intended to spark curiosity and admiration for the complex knowledge and practices that Indigenous people have developed over centuries.

The series starts by discussing the importance of native plants as a source of food and medicine, and how the knowledge of these plants can transform our approach to agriculture. The episode follows the development of an indigenous farmer's market in Oakland, California, that showcases traditional crops grown by local farmers. The market highlights the power of locally-grown food as not only a source of sustenance but also a means of cultural preservation.

The second episode explores the management of California's forests through controlled burning, also known as prescribed fires. We discover that many California forests have resulted from thousands of years of human-driven fire management. The episode highlights the work of the Cultural Fire Management Council, an organization that seeks to reintroduce indigenous fire practices into contemporary forest management.

The third episode is centered on how Indigenous fishermen navigate the modern fishing industry of the Pacific Northwest. For centuries, the Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest coast have lived alongside the fishing industry, which once brought them great wealth. The episode reveals how the management of fish populations has shifted in recent years, and how different fishing practices are being reassessed.

Another episode documents how Native American farming communities of the Southwest rely on innovative land management strategies that pay tribute to their ancestors. The Tewa people of New Mexico implemented a program called 'Trees, Water, and People,' which seeks to diminish erosion and aid in groundwater recharge. The episode emphasizes that the restoration of the environment is achievable through the practices of past generations, and that these methods are vital in restoring the balance between nature and human beings.

As we move further into the series, we learn about different Indigenous communities and their unique relationship with nature. One episode highlights the work of the Little Shell Tribe in Montana. Their focus is on the restoration of a buffalo herd that was taken from them over a century ago. We discover how the reintroduction of buffalo can improve the health of the ecosystem as well as the tribe's cultural resiliency.

In conclusion, Tending Nature is an excellent and informative show for those interested in exploring different ways of food production, land management, and cultural preservation. It emphasizes the importance of Indigenous people's knowledge while recognizing the complexity and importance of maintaining ecosystems' balance. The show demonstrates the impact of human-driven development on the environment and how traditional ecological knowledge can aid in rebuilding nature, paving the way for a more sustainable planet.