Fire Improves Traditional Plants

Scholar Melinda Adams is reclaiming fire. “When you look at migration patterns of Indigenous peoples, we led with fire. It’s related to our subsistence diets, it’s what kept us healthy,” says Adams, a UC Davis scholar who identifies as Apache and researchs “Indigenous Epist(e)cologies,” or the merge of ecological knowledge with Afro-Black Indigenous epistemologies. “What we’re now seeing is the effects of post gold rush fire regimes and fire management, which was to not burn,” she says, referring to the wildfires that continue to raze the West Coast, and are intensifying with climate change. Adams does field work to regenerate plants for basket weaving materials. When fire is applied to redbud, a plant that provides basketry materials, the redbud grows taller, doesn’t have as many breaks in its spindly branches, and gains brighter coloration compared with plants that do not experience fire.
KneeDeep‘s reporter Hoi Shan Cheung catches up with Adams on fire topics in an upcoming issue of the magazine.
First published in RARA Review, February 2021.
Story inspired by Mycelium Youth Network’s recent conference entitled: Apocalyptic Resilience: An Afro-Indigenous Adventure.
Other Recent Posts
Boxes of Mud Could Tell a Hopeful Sediment Story
Scientists are testing whether dredged sediment placed in nearby shallows can help our wetlands keep pace with rising seas. Tiny tracers may reveal the answer.
“I Invite Everyone To Be a Scientist”
Plant tissue culture can help endangered species adapt to climate change. Amateur plant biologist Jasmine Neal’s community lab could make this tech more accessible.
How To Explain Extreme Weather Without the Fear Factor
Fear-based messaging about extreme weather can backfire. Here are some simple metaphors to explain climate change.
Live Near a Tiny Library? Join Our Citizen Marketing Campaign
KneeDeep asks readers to place paper zines in tiny street libraries to help us reach new folks.
Join KneeDeep Times for Lightning Talks with 8 Local Reporters at SF Climate Week
Lightning Talks with 8 Reporters for SF Climate Week
ReaderBoard
Once a month we share reader announcements: jobs, events, reports, and more.
Staying Wise About Fire – 5 Years Post-CZU
As insurance companies pull out and wildfire seasons intensify, Santa Cruz County residents navigate the complexities of staying fire-ready.
Artist Christa Grenawalt Paints with Rain
Snippet of insight from the artist about her work.