The camas bulb is an energy dense food that was historically harvested by Native people in large quantities to store for winter use and for trade. While camas represents only a small portion of Native people’s diets today, there is a strong desire to reinvigorate camas harvest and consumption in many Pacific Northwest Tribal communities.

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Camas flowers also provide important resources for over 50 different prairie pollinators and they provide nectar for the endangered Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Restoring camas prairies provides the basis for a diverse, functioning, healthy ecosystem.