Nydia, Jack, Canyon, Lilly H., Micah
How Might We restore native plants important to indigenous communities? GROW, also known as Guided Restoration of Wildlife, is a team working to repopulate plant species vital to Idaho's indigenous cultures. Through various empathy interviews and experiences, the group noticed the decline in plants like Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Common Camas, and Biscuitroot, all of which are essential resources. Although the loss of these plants affects Indigenous communities the most, the target audience for implementation is members of the Boise community who are willing to learn about issues threatening native plants. Jenny Williams, Steven Hatcher, and Tai Simpson played pivotal roles in the development of GROW. Their input and guidance created a path for the team's final goal and implementation. Over the past twelve weeks, GROW has gone through many phases of empathy and failing forward. The team's biggest challenge was cycling through different problems, end-users, and ideas for implementation. From police brutality to missing and murdered indigenous women and even protecting salmon populations, the struggle of settling on a topic became one of GROW’s best assets because it created the full project that the group is the most confident and passionate about being a part of. These issues may seem very different, but there is one unifying thread of passion for supporting Indigenous communities in Idaho. After many weeks of ideation, the team's final implementation is actively in the works. GROW will distribute Arrowleaf Balsamroot and Biscuitroot seeds, Camas Lily bulbs, and informational resources to learn how to maintain their new native plant while also understanding the cultural significance it relates to Indigenous communities. The project includes a collaboration with the Lapwai Boys and Girls Club; GROW will work with students to repopulate essential plants on the Nez Perce reservation while also working with members of the tribe to show students the many important traditional uses for these plants. Although the team's solution will not eradicate the problem identified, it is a step in a positive direction and a catalyst for change.
