Coastal Tribes Garden Clams to Preserve Culture, Improve Health

A recent study comparing a clam garden to an unmanaged shoreline showed a doubling of production in littleneck clams and quadrupling of production in butter clams in the garden. Many clams are available only at low tides, but with a terraced beach, “the shore is basically open for longer hours and more days,” said Marco Hatch, a professor at Western Washington University and member of the Samish Indian Nation who studies marine ecology and indigenous knowledge.