Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians and California Botanic Garden Announce Memorandum of Understanding

San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, CalBG and Community at the MOU signing August 11, 2026

San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians and California Botanic Garden signed an MOU in Claremont, Ca. This agreement formalizes a long-standing partnership.

CLAREMONT, CA, UNITED STATES, August 13, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Landmark agreement formalizes years of collaboration, stewardship, and shared commitment to ancestral land and native plant preservation.

The Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, led by the Gabrieleno/Tongva Tribal Council 501c(3), and California Botanic Garden (CalBG) are proud to announce the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement honors a long-standing partnership rooted in mutual respect, environmental stewardship, and community collaboration across traditional Tongva homelands.

The signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in deepening the relationship between the Tribe and CalBG. Through this agreement, both organizations reaffirm their shared dedication to preserving native flora, supporting Indigenous plant wisdom, and fostering education and community engagement that honors the ecological and cultural heritage of the region.

“This agreement reflects years of working together in mutual respect and shared commitment to our ancestral lands,” said Chief Anthony Morales. “Our relationship with the California Botanic Garden is built on a deep understanding of community and stewardship. By honoring traditional knowledge alongside botanical conservation, we ensure that our land, native plants, and cultural heritage continue to thrive for future generations.”
For years, the Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians and California Botanic Garden have collaborated on initiatives focused on native plant conservation, educational outreach, and traditional land care practices. The formalization of this relationship provides a strong framework for upcoming joint projects, including collaborative public messaging, cultural programs, and ongoing dialogue surrounding native plant stewardship.

“The Trustees and staff of California Botanic Garden are thrilled to formalize what has been a rich and enduring relationship between the Garden and our partners, The Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians,” said Dr. Lucinda McDade, Executive Director of California Botanic Garden. “This agreement provides us with a firm basis of mutual understanding and respect as we advance our shared mission of safeguarding the future for California native plants."

The first official collaboration under this new MOU takes place in September, 2026 when naturalist Seth Johnson, an enrolled member of the Gabrieleño San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, will host an engaging group discussion at CalBG. Seth will share Traditional Ecological Knowledge, teach ethical gathering protocols that ensure sustainable, respectful foraging, introduce plant identification, and share California native plant recipes for participants to try at home.

A signing ceremony and celebratory gathering with staff and leadership from California Botanic Garden and the Gabrieleno/Tongva Tribal Council was held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 10:30 AM at California Botanic Garden's Forest Pavilion in Claremont, California.

About the Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians
The historic tribe of the area, the Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians (Gabrieleno/Tongva) represents the First People of the greater Los Angeles and Orange County Basin and Southern California Channel Islands. The Tribal Council is committed to cultural preservation, education, visibility through thoughtful community leadership, and protecting ancestral lands, sacred sites, and traditional ecological knowledge. You can keep up with their activities on Instagram at @sgbmigt or www.gabrieleno-nsn.us

About California Botanic Garden
California Botanic Garden is the largest botanic garden dedicated to California native plants, with a commitment to advancing knowledge, conservation, and appreciation of our state’s diverse plant life. The Garden is a living museum with curated collections of more than 22,000 California native plants, some of which are rare or endangered. CalBG hosts many fun and educational classes and events throughout the year and, behind the scenes, runs active research and conservation programs, including a graduate program in Botany (in conjunction with Claremont Graduate University), the largest seed bank devoted to California native seeds, an Herbarium of pressed plants, plant anatomy and molecular genetics labs, a large production nursery, and much more. Spread across 86 acres in Claremont, California, CalBG is located approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles.
Media Contacts:
Communications
Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians
info@gabrieleno-nsn.us
Jessica Wetzel
Director of Advancement
California Botanic Garden
jwetzel@calbg.org | (909) 625-8767 x222

Kimberly MoralesJohnson
Gabrieleno Tongva Tribal Council
communications@gabrieleno-nsn.us
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