Protecting Indigenous Food Sovereignty Through Ecosystem Management: Evaluating the Relationship Between Camas and Garrison at the Centennial Marsh
Faculty Mentor Information
Hart-Fredeluces Georgia, Idaho State University
Additional Funding Sources
This research was made possible through a grant from the Center for Ecological Research and Education (CERE) at Idaho State University.
Presentation Date
7-15-2026
Abstract
Food Sovereignty and ecosystem conservation are closely tied to the protection of traditional food systems for Indigenous communities. The Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh in south-central Idaho holds great significance to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, supporting tribal identity and cultural practices across generations. Camas (Camassia quamash), native to the marsh, has served as an important sustenance for the tribes. Alongside camas, an increase in monocultures of sod-forming Garrison Creeping Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus) raises questions on whether these plants can be managed to coexist in this ecosystem. Introduced as forage for cattle, Garrison has had minimal research but is known to suppress Camas. Therefore, to investigate possible ways to control Garrison, we ask: How do mowing, raking, and re-seeding with camas influence the abundance of Garrison and camas? To investigate this, point-intercept sampling methods were used to estimate percent cover of Garrison, camas, and all other vegetation, across mowed, mowed- and-raked, and untreated control plots. None of the treatments led to a detectable change in camas or Garrison abundance. These results are significant because they contribute to habitat restoration strategies, support Indigenous food sovereignty, and provide insight into balancing agricultural species with culturally important native plants.
Protecting Indigenous Food Sovereignty Through Ecosystem Management: Evaluating the Relationship Between Camas and Garrison at the Centennial Marsh
Food Sovereignty and ecosystem conservation are closely tied to the protection of traditional food systems for Indigenous communities. The Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh in south-central Idaho holds great significance to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, supporting tribal identity and cultural practices across generations. Camas (Camassia quamash), native to the marsh, has served as an important sustenance for the tribes. Alongside camas, an increase in monocultures of sod-forming Garrison Creeping Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus) raises questions on whether these plants can be managed to coexist in this ecosystem. Introduced as forage for cattle, Garrison has had minimal research but is known to suppress Camas. Therefore, to investigate possible ways to control Garrison, we ask: How do mowing, raking, and re-seeding with camas influence the abundance of Garrison and camas? To investigate this, point-intercept sampling methods were used to estimate percent cover of Garrison, camas, and all other vegetation, across mowed, mowed- and-raked, and untreated control plots. None of the treatments led to a detectable change in camas or Garrison abundance. These results are significant because they contribute to habitat restoration strategies, support Indigenous food sovereignty, and provide insight into balancing agricultural species with culturally important native plants.
Comments
Nolan Brown and Bailey Dann are both within the Language and Cultural Preservation Department for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.