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Clam Gardens in the Pacific Northwest and Interdisciplinary Literature Review

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  • Olivia Chiu Polygence

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.3713

Keywords:

Clam gardens, Indigenous Mariculture, Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Ecological Knowledge, Pacific Northwest marine farming, Swinomish, Coastal Food Production, Marine Food Systems, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Sea Gardening

Abstract

Clam gardens are an Indigenous mariculture (marine farming) practice developed by Indigenous peoples in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia to increase shellfish productivity through long-term care of their shores. This literature review paper examines how clam gardens function not only as ecological systems but also as cultural and social spaces that support food sovereignty and the transmission of knowledge across generations. This review brings together archaeological research, ecological studies, and Indigenous-led reports to understand how clam gardens alter water flow, sediment retention, and shoreline chemistry, thereby supporting faster-growing, more resilient clam populations. It also highlights how current restoration projects are working to improve community involvement and intergenerational learning. While scientific research clearly shows the ecological benefits of clam gardens, there is limited research on their historical and cultural significance and on how they are affected by climate change. 

References

Council, W. L. (2020, March 10). The Clam Garden Restoration Project. W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. https://wsanec.com/the-clam-garden-restoration-project/

Cox, K. D., Davies, H. L., Millard-Martin, B., Black, M., Hessing-Lewis, M., Smith, N. F., Juanes, F., & Dudas, S. E. (2024). Ancestral and contemporary intertidal mariculture practices support marine biodiversity in the northeast Pacific. Communications Earth & Environment, 5(1), 351. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01515-3

Groesbeck, A. S., Rowell, K., Lepofsky, D., & Salomon, A. K. (2014). Ancient clam gardens increased shellfish production: Adaptive strategies from the past can inform food security today. PloS One, 9(3), e91235.

Heffernan, M. (2025). Hydrodynamics and residence time in a newly constructed clam garden. WWU Graduate School Collection. https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet/1440

Larson, S. (2023, January 20). Restoring tradition, place and connection through a clam garden. Washington Sea Grant. https://wsg.washington.edu/restoring-tradition-place-and-connection-through-a-clam-garden/

Lepofsky, D., Toniello, G., Earnshaw, J., Roberts, C., Wilson, L., Rowell, K., & Holmes, K. (2020). Ancient Anthropogenic Clam Gardens of the Northwest Coast Expand Clam Habitat. Ecosystems, 24(2), 248–260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-020-00515-6

sankofaimpact. (2023, November 24). The Treaty of Point Elliott. Sankofa Impact. https://sankofaimpact.org/the-treaty-of-point-elliott/

Swinomish clam garden bolsters littleneck clam populations. (2023, January 14). The Fish Site. https://thefishsite.com/articles/swinomish-clam-garden-bolsters-littleneck-clam-populations

Swinomish Tribal Community’s Bioaccumulative Toxics in Native American Shellfish project: 2002-2006. (2006, November 30). Retrieved January 30, 2026, from https://www.swinomish-nsn.gov/media/591

Walker, R. (2022, January 28). Clam garden will bring history full circle at Kukutali. Northwest Treaty Tribes. https://nwtreatytribes.org/clam-garden-will-bring-history-full-circle-at-kukutali/

Ward, S. (2018, November 8). Native Clam Gardens of the Salish Sea—Indigenous clam farming fueled a vast population. Island Histories. https://islandhistories.com/items/show/10

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2026-03-19

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