Synopsis Of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, National Park Service

Traditional Ecological Knowledge, or TEK, is like a big book of nature secrets that Indigenous people have learned over hundreds or even thousands of years. They didn't get this knowledge from reading books or going online. Instead, they learned it by living close to nature, watching plants and animals, and paying attention to the weather and the land. They've passed these secrets down from older people to younger ones for generations. This special knowledge helps them know the best times to hunt, fish, plant crops, and take care of the forest. It's not just about surviving, though. TEK also includes how people see the world, including their spiritual beliefs and how they think about animals, plants, and everything around them.