On Wednesday, August 25 at 7:30pm, Daniel F. McCarthy will present a lecture, “Traditional Gathering Practices of Pinyon Pine Nuts and the Parry Pinyon Pines Protection Project,” at the San Bernardino County Museum. This presentation is open to public and free of charge.

Several species of pinyon pine trees grows throughout the western states. For millennia native people have used this nutritious nut as a highly valued food staple.

The discussion will focus on two species found in southern California, Pinus monophylla and P. quadrifolia, how tribes gathered pinyon nuts and processed them for food, and the efforts underway to ensure that the trees are not lost due to wildfires.

Daniel McCarthy received his BS and MS in anthropology from the University of California, Riverside. He has worked at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and throughout southern California compiling photographic inventories of rock art sites. Currently he is Tribal Relations Program Manager for the San Bernardino National Forest.

His research interests include desert archaeology, aboriginal trail systems of the Sonoran, Mojave, and Colorado deserts; rock art distribution, documentation, and interpretation; establishing conservation and protection guidelines; and recording string figures. He conducts southern California Native American cultural awareness classes providing information about native plant uses (particularly agave, acorns, yucca, prickly pear and pinyon), rock art, and material culture. McCarthy works with tribal governments (Serrano, Cahuilla, Luiseño), traditional practitioners, and organizations such as Southern California Indian Basketweavers Organization, where he is currently vice president.

The San Bernardino County Museum sponsors its guest lecture series to share current research by prominent researchers and scholars with the public. The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.