This class will examine the topic of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), the system by which indigenous peoples have historically interacted with and managed their ecosystems and natural resources, and its applications to public policy today. Because of our location, and because California is so biodiverse, this class will mainly focus on Native American societies in California, and their techniques of natural resource management. We will look at both micro and macro ecosystems, and the philosophies that the diverse native peoples of California have towards their environment. We will study different techniques and perspectives, from something as self-contained as walking through a forest unnoticed to something as broad as fire regimes in the Sierras. There will be 3 units throughout the semester, focusing on 3 California biomes and related techniques: Forests, Fields, and Coasts. We will explore these areas through weekly readings, primary sources, guest speakers, small writing assignments, and practical demonstrations and workshops in various natural spaces. We will look at how and why Native Peoples cultivated certain resources while suppressing others, and their perspectives on their place in the ecosystem. A crucial part of this class is in policy application, and we will learn how to reconcile indigenous management and western policy-making frameworks. We will also look at current examples of attempts to incorporate TEK into management techniques, such as controlled burns and natural water filtration. Each student will attend at least 3 of 6 practical workshops in natural spaces close to campus hosted by the facilitators. In these workshops, we will have either a demonstration of TEK technique by an expert or a workshop on how you can incorporate TEK ideas into your everyday life. Attendance is crucial to the success of this course.