A new sign for the Lake Wilderness Arboretum Tribal Life Trail features a map, interpretive artwork and details about this ethnobotanical garden.

Opened in 2010, the Tribal Life Trail is maintained by Washington State University Extension master gardeners and displays plants historically used by local native peoples for food, medicine, ceremony, clothing and utility.

The culinary section features wild strawberry, trailing blackberry, tall Oregon grape and hooker onion used as a source of food.

The medicinal section features wild ginger, licorice fern, columbine and sword fern, used to treat maladies from sore throats to wounds and stomach troubles.

The ceremonial section features sword fern, red columbine and snowberry, which when plentiful indicate a bountiful salmon run.

The clothing section features the western cedar, used for making clothes and hats by pounding the roots and bark until they were soft.

The utilitarian section features bear grass, birch serviceberry and red osier dogwood, a tribute to the resourcefulness and creativity of Native Americans.

The sign was installed as part of Maple Valley Make A Difference Day.

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