This spring, you are invited to join the Institute for Applied Ecology to help restore prairie habitat—at a First Foods Harvest Area in Champoeg State Heritage Area. All are welcome! Join us to help restore indigenous First Foods in native prairie habitat, while contributing to the recovery of the land.

RSVP to Evan Lasley at evanlasley@appliedeco.org if you would like to join this important restoration event—all are welcome! Please fill out a volunteer release form. Exact location will be provided on confirmation. A restroom is available on site, and limited carpooling from Corvallis is available.

https://appliedeco.org/calendar/champoeg-harvest-area-volunteer-day-june/

What are “First Foods”?

First Foods were eaten by indigenous groups before the arrival of Europeans, and continue to be harvested, grown, and collected today. Native Americans have a long history of food gathering at Champoeg State Heritage Area. The word “Champoeg” comes from an indigenous word that names it as “the place of the yampa,” an edible root that was harvested there. As part of the Plants for People project, yampa has been reintroduced to this site, as well as many other First Foods such as camas, brodiaea, ookow, yarrow, and many others.