There has been a profound history for thousands of years between nature and people. In our increasingly urbanized lives, the ecological benefits provided by plants and animals may easily go unnoticed. Our goal is to foster a deep appreciation for nature while highlighting indigenous communities that have sustainably utilized their local flora and fauna, uncovering the wisdom they have passed down through generations—although this was interrupted by Eurocentric interference and disturbance.

By recognizing the myriad ways in which plants and animals contribute to our well-being and culture, we hope to highlight the importance of preserving invaluable connections with ancestral peoples as well, especially those in our local Native American communities.