After years of working together and months of planning, I am so excited to officially launch The Camassia Group – a partnership with the wonderful Madeline Brandt. We’re still taking it a step at a time, and we’re thrilled to be at the step where we get to tell people it’s official!

What does/will The Camassia Group do? 

The Camassia Group gives work Madeline and I are already doing together a new home, and a way for us to continue to work together in alignment with our values. We offer research and evaluation services in service to justice, with our hearts on our sleeves.  More to come as we write up examples of our existing ‘group projects.’

Why “Camassia”?

Camassia quamash is the “scientific” name for an incredible plant – the camas. Camas is a beautiful lily that blooms in the spring, ranging in color but often a vibrant deep purple-blue, which grows by both seed and rhizome.  The camas bulb is also an important indigenous first food for many of the native peoples of the Pacific Northwest. It once flourished in meadows throughout the region, cultivated by the Kalapuyan, Chinookan and other peoples who still care for and prepare it today.  It also volunteered in my yard a few years ago and began to spread this year, to my absolute delight.

Why “Group”? 

One of our dreams is for The Camassia Group to grow in ways that allow for additional partners to join us, for us to work in deep collaboration with others in all sorts of ways, and to otherwise support others who are doing or want to do this work. 

Does this mean Leonard R&E is going away? 

Nope. I still have and will continue to pursue projects that are a better fit for Leonard R&E (those that are truly solo endeavors, survey design work, etc.). To learn more, check out our brand new website: www.camassiagroup.com, get on my calendar to catch up via the button below, or watch for more information in future newsletters.