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"Tending Nature" shines a light on the environmental knowledge of Indigenous peoples across California by exploring how the state's Native peoples have actively shaped and tended the land for millennia. The series examines how traditional practices can inspire a new generation of Californians to find a balance between humans and nature. Traveling across the state, the series allows viewers to hear first-hand from Native communities engaged in contemporary projects that revive their culture and inform western sciences. Produced in partnership with the Autry Museum of the American West, a collaboration that began with the award-winning documentary "Tending the Wild."

Visit PBS LearningMedia to view the Tending Nature Curriculum Project lessons, featuring interdisciplinary resources for middle school grades.

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Native Foodways with the Cultural Conservancy

Native Foodways with the Cultural Conservancy

Season 3 Episode 4

Native Foodways with the Cultural Conservancy

The Cultural Conservancy works to re-engage with the land and decolonize our foodways.

A hand holds an olive branch at the Séka Hills olive grove. | Still from "Tending Nature" episode "Reclaiming Agriculture with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation"

A hand holds an olive branch at the Séka Hills olive grove. | Still from "Tending Nature" episode "Reclaiming Agriculture with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation"

Season 3 Episode 3

Reclaiming Agriculture with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation

the Yocha Dehe people are combining ecological knowledge with modern science to rethink community-centered agri-business using sustainability practices that include high-efficiency irrigation.

Someone reaching into the water at Bonanza Spring in the Mojave Desert. | Still from "Tending Nature" episode "Preserving the Desert with the NALC"

Someone reaching into the water at Bonanza Spring in the Mojave Desert. | Still from "Tending Nature" episode "Preserving the Desert with the NALC"

Season 3 Episode 2

Preserving the Desert with NALC

The Native American Land Conservancy protects sacred tribal lands in the Mojave Desert.

Cheryl Seidner and other members of the Wiyot tribe at a hearing for Terra-Gen's wind farm proposal. | Still from "Tending Nature" episode "Guarding Ancestral Grounds with the Wiyot"

Cheryl Seidner and other members of the Wiyot tribe at a hearing for Terra-Gen's wind farm proposal. | Still from "Tending Nature" episode "Guarding Ancestral Grounds with the Wiyot"

Season 3 Episode 1

Guarding Ancestral Grounds with the Wiyot

The Wiyot tribe from Humboldt County have fought for restored access to their land.

“Managing Groundwater with the Paiute” Alan Bacock, Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley's Water Program Coordinator, testing water levels.

“Managing Groundwater with the Paiute” Alan Bacock, Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley's Water Program Coordinator, testing water levels.

Season 2 Episode 4

Managing Groundwater with the Paiute

California’s Native peoples have lived with drought cycles for millennia and today, the Paiute are shepherding conversations around access to water resources, raising key questions about how our snowpack, streams and aquifers are used and maintained.

Restoring The River with the Yurok, Hupa and Karuk

Restoring The River with the Yurok, Hupa and Karuk

Season 2 Episode 3

Restoring The River with the Yurok, Hupa and Karuk

The environmental costs of timber extraction and damming have reached a tipping point in the North Coast region of California.

Julie Cordero-Lamb leads a plant walk in Santa Barbara. | Still from "Tending Nature" episode "Holistic Healing with the Syuxtun Collective"

Julie Cordero-Lamb leads a plant walk in Santa Barbara. | Still from "Tending Nature" episode "Holistic Healing with the Syuxtun Collective"

Season 2 Episode 2

Holistic Healing with the Syuxtun Collective

Scientists and doctors are embracing alternative concepts that Indigenous peoples have practiced for thousands of years, by using medicinal plant knowledge that informed much our pharmacopeia.

Aerial view of a traditional Tongva canoe launching into the ocean. | Still from "Tending Nature"

Aerial view of a traditional Tongva canoe launching into the ocean. | Still from "Tending Nature"

Season 2 Episode 1

Rethinking The Coast with the Ti'at Society

Climate change and urban development have significantly altered ocean conditions and our ability to access the coast, making it more and more difficult for the Tongva tribe to carry on their long-held seafaring traditions.

Healing the Body with United Indian Health Service

Healing the Body with United Indian Health Service

Season 1 Episode 4

Healing the Body with United Indian Health Services

A new generation is jump starting several food sovereignty programs across California.

Ray Alvarez looking into the iron sights of his rifle while hunting near the Pit River. | Still from "Tending Nature"

Ray Alvarez looking into the iron sights of his rifle while hunting near the Pit River. | Still from "Tending Nature"

Season 1 Episode 3

Tribal Hunting with the Pit River Peoples

This episode explores how members of the Pit River Tribe in Northeast California are reviving traditional hunting practices and embracing Community Science initiatives to preserve and monitor wild elk and deer populations.

An Ohlone dish prepared by mak–‘amham. | Still from "Tending Nature"

An Ohlone dish prepared by mak–‘amham. | Still from "Tending Nature"

Season 1 Episode 2

Decolonizing Cuisine with Mak-'amham

This episode explores how two Ohlone chefs Louis Trevino and Vincent Medina are revitalizing Ohlone language, food practices and adapting them for a modernist palate.

A member of Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation casts his net the beach. | Still from Tending Nature

A member of Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation casts his net the beach. | Still from Tending Nature

Season 1 Episode 1

Protecting The Coast with the Tolowa Dee-ni'

This episode journeys to the Smith River near the Oregon border to discover how the Tolowa Dee-ni’ are reviving traditional harvesting of shellfish while working with state agencies to monitor toxicity levels.