On Wednesday, July 23rd, the Friends of Mashpee NWR supported the Mashpee Wampanoag “Preserving Our Homelands” (POH) Youth Camp for our 10th consecutive year! This year’s program included working with over 20 Tribal youth, plus counselors to plant over 300 medicinal and pollinator-friendly plants at the Wampanoag Maushop Farm. The day’s activities were a partnership between the Friends, Mass Wildlife, MA Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). It was a day of learning about wildlife biology, planting, fire and prescribed burns, and creating natural crafts.
This year’s Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe conservation day event introduces outdoor skills and conservation/wildlife opportunities throughout the day so that the tribal youth can gain not only the big picture and hands-on experiences, but we make sure they make the long-term connection with The Tribe’s ancestral and cultural aspects as well.
The Friends of Mashpee NWR (FMNWR) have been participating with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Youth Summer Camp, “Preserving Our Homeland” (POH), since 2016. It has become very special for many reasons.
The Friends describe the natural connection between native plants and their pollinators – the bees, butterflies, beetles, or birds that come to this plant and how important this is for creating the fruits and nuts that humans need to eat. The kids learn the importance of supporting these pollinators throughout the year so they are there when we need them to pollinate our vines, vegetables, and fruit trees seasonally. They learn plant identification, significance to their culture and planting techniques. Staff and volunteers then work shoulder to shoulder with the Tribal youth, digging in the soil to plant the native plants that have been discussed. The campers are taught to honor their ancestors as they plant this new garden.
The youth, along with staff and volunteers put over 300 plants in the ground, including Highbush Blueberry, Sweet Pepperbush, Common Elderberry, American Cranberrybush, Wild Raisin/Witherod, Red Chokeberry, Anise Hyssop, Boneset, Eastern Purple Coneflower and Foxglove Beard Tongue. Purchase of the plants was supported by a Mini-Grant from the USFWS Retirees Association. Their support (for the 3rd consecutive year) is greatly appreciated!
Traditional foods harvested were an exciting addition to our plantings and included blueberry, red chokeberry and elderberry. All need pollination, so we help our pollinator friends and the result are fruits, nuts, and roots for tribal consumption. The Tribe will be able to harvest the fruits for many years to come.
The Fire event highlighted the current prescribed fire management program run cooperatively between the Tribe, Mass Wildlife and the Massachusetts DCR Fire Department. The tribal youth were taught the concepts and visually saw the contrast of this management tool on their ancestral lands. They also experienced the fire truck gear and the force of the water hose to control a burn. An added fun activity involved letting the kids water the newly planted areas with fire hoses.
The day also included tours of a traditional Wampanoag home site that included a wetu and long house. Campers and science partners were educated on the construction of each, shown handmade cat tail mats, and taught the different uses and customs of each style home.
Finally, flowers and leaves were used to create beautiful natural crafts for each of the youth to bring home.
Volunteers from Extinction Rebellion Boston also participated in the day. Alongside others, they worked tirelessly in the sun and heat to contribute to the overall effort. We thank them as well!
This Tribal Youth Camp Day of learning, doing, and getting dirty involved multiple Mashpee NWR Partners and other volunteer groups. It is always one of our most rewarding programs of the year. This year was no exception!
