Cultural Burning

1993

Led by Tribal Chairman Ron Goode, the North Fork Mono works to burn small sections of grasslands – 30 to 40 acres at a time – and clear the accumulated dead forest growth. While such burnings have historically been banned by government officials, there’s a growing recognition that “thinning” the forest in this way can prevent mega-fires and encourage native plant growth. Revitalizing this practice is also important ceremonially to the North Fork Mono, who see cultural burning as a way of honoring and revitalizing the land.

Image credit: Tahoe Environmental Research Center