Land Acknowledgement

Our Statement

The San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of the land. We acknowledge the land upon which we currently serve as the custodian is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Maara’yam, commonly referred to as the Serrano people.

We extend our respect and gratitude to the Serrano people who have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial. We honor the continued legacy of these original conservationists, and their heritage of understanding, caretaking, and upholding the pillars of plant and animal life and respect for natural processes. Our histories and stories are intertwined in this space, and by sharing them in culturally appropriate ways, we hope to honor and celebrate our Indigenous neighbors and partners.

We recognize Indigenous knowledge and seek to provide opportunities for mutual consultation, collaboration, and cooperation in the stewardship of the land. Specifically, through working with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, one of two federally recognized Tribes which represent the Serrano people in the contemporary era, we seek to identify, restore, and enhance traditionally important plant resources in the Upper Santa Ana River Wash, provide access to plant materials for cultural and educational purposes, and ensure the land is managed in a manner that promotes ecosystem health, groundwater sustainability, and creates opportunity for incorporation of traditional tribal management practices.