The Amah Mutsun Land Trust reached out recently to let us know of their current opening for a Native Plant Program Assistant. This is an important role in their work as stewards of the land. We hope they find the ideal candidate. For more information or to apply for this position visit the AMLT website.
Hearing about their search led us to pause and reflect on things we’ve learned from the Amah Mutsun tribal band of the Ohlone indigenous peoples. Villa Mira Monte and surrounding lands to the north, south, east and west are part of their ancestral territory dating back thousands of years. We are adopting ways to acknowledge them such as:
an Amah Mutsun exhibit developed for the Morgan Hill History Museum with guidance from Amah Mutsun tribal member Ed Ketchum
education programs for Morgan Hill Unified School District students
an interview with Valentin Lopez, Amah Mutsun Tribal Chair, recorded for the Stories from the Past film series (2019)
public support for a resolution by the City of Morgan Hill asking Santa Clara County to protect and preserve Sargent Ranch/Juristac as open space
installment of indigenous history markers on our Centennial History Trail and creation of a Native Garden at Villa Mira Monte
Indigenous knowledge, cultivation and use of California native plants holds increasing significance in cultural and environmental practices today.
This is evident in productive collaborations of the Amah Mutsun with the University of California and other partners. We look forward to building relationships and learning good stewardship of the land alongside our indigenous neighbors.