Join Us for the Acorn Harvest Build Days
The Alameda Native History Project invites you to roll up your sleeves and be part of something historic.
This September, we are coming together to build the specialized tools and equipment that will make the Second Annual Acorn Harvest possible. Whether you are new to our work or a returning volunteer, these Build Days are a chance to contribute directly to reopening Indigenous foodways in the Bay Area.
Saturday, Sept. 6 : Prep Day (Starts at 10 a.m.)
Our first Build Day is focused on preparing equipment for final assembly. Volunteers will be drilling, cutting, sanding, gluing, painting, and shaping metal mesh.
Because of the sharp tools, spray paint, and detail work involved, this session is best for adults who feel comfortable and experienced with hands-on tasks such as drilling, cutting, or painting.
If you have your own gloves, safety goggles, or respirator, please bring them. Space is limited, so Register for Sept. 6.
Saturday, Sept. 13 : Main Build Day (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
This is our big community gathering. Together, we will assemble the tools we will use to harvest and store acorns during the Second Annual Acorn Harvest. It is a clean and sober event, open to all, with jobs suited for every comfort level.
Even though registration is free, you can choose to “pay what you want” to help cover equipment, rental fees, snacks, gloves, and other volunteer care. Register for Sept. 13
Why It Matters
Acorn foods sustained Indigenous people here for millennia, and harvesting them with care is both cultural practice and ecological stewardship. Our protocols are rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge: take only what the trees freely give, give back in return, and ensure all flourishing is mutual.
This work is more than building buckets and tenders. It is about restoring an Indigenous food system that has not operated at scale in 300 years. California law recognizes the importance of protecting Native cultural practices, and the United Nations affirms Indigenous peoples’ rights to maintain their foodways and cultural traditions. Here in Alameda, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe has voiced support for our work to restore acorn harvesting as a tangible tribal benefit.
By joining us, you are helping to create equipment that will feed community, honor sovereignty, and keep Indigenous traditions alive.