Forest Gardens of the Pacific Northwest

Planted by Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest, forest gardens remain more biodiverse and resilient than surrounding conifer forests, even 150 years after the displacement of people. These magnificent ecosystems tell a story about human relationships to the land that goes beyond simplistic extraction ideologies and provides a blueprint for how humans can help environments thrive.

This infographic illustrates 10 indicator species that are used for food, fuel, textiles, and other technologies. This research is based on studies at 9 sites across British Columbia, led by Dr. Chelsey Geralda Armstrong — a historical ecologist, archaeologist, and assistant professor of Indigenous Studies at Simon Fraser University. Art direction by Azuravesta Rastan at Biophile Media.