During our visit to the UC Irvine Ecological Preserve, we will conduct an educational and exploratory walking discussion led by Samantha Morales Johnson Yang, a Tongva biologist, learning ethnobotanist, and science illustrator. M.J. Yang will lead a small group of ~15 participants, including community partners from the WUICAN network focused on land management and ecological restoration, undergraduate and graduate students and faculty interested in the environmental humanities, and members of UCI’s Center for Liberation, Anti-Racism & Belonging (C-LAB) and its “Coastal Aesthetics, Environmental Justice and Indigenous Futures” research cluster. The primary objective of this visit is to provide space for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the ecological and cultural significance of native plant restoration on Tongva lands. Participants will gather at the UC Irvine Ecological Preserve entrance at E Peltason Drive and S Circle View Drive, at 3:00 PM on June 14, 2024. We will introduce M.J. Yang, then she will provide a brief intro before leading the group up to the lookout point openings. The visit will include interactive discussions and M.J. Yang will lead the group in identifying and observing native plant species, highlighting their roles within the ecosystem. Participants will learn about the practical aspects of ecological restoration as well as the cultural importance of land rematriation. This event aims to foster community engagement by bringing together a diverse and cross-disciplinary group of individuals with shared interests in land management and environmental justice. The collaborative environment is intended to open discussion about shared responsibility for land stewardship.

Approved