Austin Stevenot, San Joaquin Valley Field Manager and Director of Tribal Engagement for River Partners, is a passionate advocate for Indigenous land stewardship. His work at the newest State park, Dos Rios, exemplifies a powerful intersection of ecological restoration and cultural revitalization.

Driven by a deep connection to his Northern Sierra Miwok heritage, Stevenot spearheaded the creation of a 3-acre Native Use Garden within the park. This unique space was designed in collaboration with tribal elders to prioritize the cultivation of native plants with significant cultural and medicinal value for Indigenous communities.

Beyond the garden, Stevenot envisions Dos Rios as a place where tribal members can reconnect with their ancestral lands and practices, a vision that extends beyond mere environmental restoration. His work highlights the crucial role of Indigenous knowledge in suitable land management and underscores the importance of restoring not just the land, but also the cultural rights and connections of the people who have inhabited it for generations.