At the Galiano Conservancy Association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting, guest speaker
Jennifer Grenz of the Nlaka’pamux Lytton First Nation shared an inspiring
presentation on Relational Restoration, an approach to conservation that fosters
healthy ecosystems through relationships between, people, land, and all living things.
Drawing from her book Medicine Wheel for the Planet: A Journey Toward Personal and
Ecological Healing and her work with the Indigenous Ecology Lab, Jennifer challenged
many conventional ideas about conservation and invited attendees to rethink what
ecological restoration can look like.
Moving Beyond “Fortress Conservation”
Jennifer described the limitations of “fortress conservation”, the idea that nature is best
protected by excluding people. Instead, she highlighted how Indigenous stewardship
has long demonstrated that people and ecosystems can thrive together.
Using camas as an example, she explained that many culturally significant plants
evolved alongside human care. Rather than being separate from nature, people have
historically played an active role in maintaining balanced landscapes.
Why Historical Ecology Matters
One of the presentation’s central messages was understanding that the past is essential
for creating resilient ecosystems in the future.
As Jennifer noted, “To move forward with wisdom, we need to understand what has
happened.”
Historical ecology helps us recognize that Indigenous peoples intentionally shaped
landscapes through practices such as selective harvesting, tending food plants, and
using fire to maintain diverse ecosystem. These long-standing relationships challenge
the misconception that Indigenous communities were simply passive “hunter-gatherers.”
Restoration through Relationships
Jennifer emphasized that restoration is about more than planting native species. It
begins with restoring relationships between people, place, and knowledge systems.
She encouraged conservation practitioners to:
• Work in respectful partnership with Indigenous Nations and communities.
• Value multiple ways of knowing alongside scientific research.
• Consider food security and community access as part of ecological restoration.
• Engage youth and future generations in stewardship and land-based learning.
Rather than focusing solely on whether species are “native” or “invasive,” Jennifer
advocated for a more holistic, data-informed understanding of ecosystems and the
historical processes that shaped them.
Learning from the Land
Jennifer shared examples of restoration projects across British Columbia, including
estuary revitalization, Garry Oak ecosystem restoration, camas cultivation, and
improved water management. These projects demonstrate how ecological restoration
can support biodiversity while strengthening community connections to the land.
A recurring theme throughout the presentation was reciprocity. Healthy landscapes are
not simply protected… They are cared for through ongoing relationships between people
and nature.
Looking Ahead
Jennifer concluded by sharing that her next book will explore our relationship with fire in
British Columbia. As climate change continues to reshape our landscapes, she
suggested that rethinking how we live with fire will be essential to building resilient
ecosystems. Her presentation left the audience with a
powerful reminder: conservation is not about separating people from place. It is about
restoring our relationship with it. By understanding historical ecology, embracing
Indigenous leadership, and strengthening community connections, we can restore the
balance of the landscapes for generations to come.
You can watch Dr. Grenz’s entire presentation on the GCA’s YouTube channel HERE.
