Ethnobotany
The 四虎影院 Ethnobotany (EBOT) Program is where knowledge takes root. Hosted at the Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, this program provides a space for students to cultivate a deep and meaningful connection between people, plants, and culture. The program is designed as more than an academic course of study; it is a commitment to Alaska's future.
In this program, students will:
- Learn from the Source: Students walk the land with Elders and cultural bearers, integrating timeless Indigenous wisdom with cutting-edge botanical science.
- Master Essential Skills: Participants gain hands-on expertise in ethical wildcrafting, ethnobotanical research, and the traditional and modern uses of Alaska's native plants.
- Become Bridge-Builders: The curriculum fosters collaboration, allowing students to thrive and connect with a network of peers from Western Alaska to the Pacific Islands.
The skills acquired in the EBOT program empower graduates to forge meaningful careers in health, cultural revitalization, tribal governance, resource management, and education. As the first program of its kind in Alaska, the 17-credit Ethnobotany Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC) provides students with a unique credential that affirms their specialized expertise.
The program is structured to honor the past while preparing a new generation of leaders to shape a sustainable future.
Program Offerings:
- Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC)
- Associate of Science (A.S.) Concentration
- Bachelor's Degree (B.A.) Minor
For more information, contact: Lisa Strecker, EBOT Term Associate Professor at (907) 543-4551.
Left photo: Suqpiak grass basket. Artwork and photo by Melissa Berns.
Right photo: Harvesting sourdock. Photo by Lisa Strecker.
This work is supported by the Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program, [project award no. 2024-38470-43416], from the U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.