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Ethnobotany

Ethnobotany is the study of the relationships between people and plants. The University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks (UAF) hosts the Ethnobotany Program (EBOT) at its rural Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, Western ³ÉÈËӰƬ. In this program, ³ÉÈËӰƬ learn about the basic biology of plants and the floral ecology specific to ³ÉÈËӰƬ. They are trained in ethnobotanical research methods, ethical wildcrafting practices, traditional and contemporary uses of local plants, and the economic aspects of ethnobotany. The curriculum emphasizes collaboration in interdisciplinary and intercultural settings.

Courses integrate Indigenous Ways of Knowing with mainstream academic knowledge. Students can look forward to valuable experiences, such as field trips with Elders and other plant experts, along with hands-on activities and independent, student-led projects. The program also has a student exchange initiative with the University of Hawai’i Leeward Community College.

The skills acquired in EBOT courses prepare ³ÉÈËӰƬ for careers in various fields, including health and wellness, cultural revitalization, tribal organizations, resource management agencies, and education. Additionally, the program offers three academic milestones: an Occupational Endorsement Certificate (EBOT OEC), a concentration in an Associate of Science degree, and a minor in a Bachelor’s degree.

The 17-credit Ethnobotany Occupational Endorsement Certificate (EBOT OEC) is the first program of its kind in ³ÉÈËӰƬ and one of only a few such programs currently available in the United States. EBOT is crucial for life in ³ÉÈËӰƬ as it combines cultural knowledge with a deeper understanding of the region's rich and diverse natural environment.