ainiCalifornia native plant nursery is inspired by the Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the Indigenous stewards who have long tended—and continue to tend—this land now called California.

We believe all traditional knowledge is rooted in living in relationship with the land and are on a journey to return ecology [soil, water, plants, and seasonal rhythms] to the heart of Han Traditional Knowledge by building an ecologically reciprocal relationship with this place away from our ancestral home.

• Siddhartha Gautama awakened to his buddha nature under the bodhi tree and passed away between two trees. We are left to ask how plants, trees, and ecosystems might be understood not as resources, but as spiritual guides.

• Rural Daoist practice worships the local 土地公 [tǔ dì gōng] meaning Earth God. Before moving to a new place, people will pray to bid farewell to the 土地公 and begin worship of the new 土地公 in their new community.

Does our responsibility and privilege to land stewardship in our human-shaped bodies end with emigration? or is it an invitation to listen to the many ways the land of our new homes expresses herself?

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These teachings are not interchangeable with, nor do they replace, the living knowledge and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. Rather, they offer a framework for humility, responsibility, and relationship for those of us living far from our ancestral lands.