Tooromakma Hinse Nii

Tooromakma hinse nii is ancestral territory and a place of profound cultural and spiritual importance for the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Meaning “bobcats wander here,” the name reflects the rich wildlife that depends on this landscape. Just beyond the intersection of Highways 129 and 101 in San Juan Bautista, this area is one of the last remaining pathways that allows wildlife—including the bobcat—to move safely between the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Gabilan Range, and the Diablo Range, and to reach the headwaters of the Pajaro River.

In close partnership with the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, we’re honored to share that 50 acres of this sacred landscape will now be stewarded by the Amah Mutsun Land Trust—restoring full access rights to the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band more than 225 years after they were forcibly removed from their homeland. Stewardship of this land is central to the Tribe’s cultural responsibilities.

As Chairman Valentin Lopez shares, “The Amah Mutsun people believe that it is our responsibility to care for our plant, 2-legged and 4-legged relatives until the last sunrise. We believe in passing down our knowledge and teaching the next generation to honor that sacred responsibility. Reconnection with our ancestral land provides an opportunity for healing Mother Earth, our people, our future generations, and all non-Native people. This property acquisition reaffirms our commitment to cultural revitalization, ecological healing and is representative of the enduring resilience of the Amah Mutsun people.”

As the Amah Mutsun Land Trust marks its 10th anniversary, the work here represents both a milestone in their mission and a meaningful step forward in the land back movement. The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band emphasizes that the land is not owned—it belongs to Creator—and their role is to uphold the sacred obligation to steward it. This partnership ensures that tooromakma hinse nii is protected from development pressures, continues to support wildlife movement and ecological resilience, and remains a place of cultural healing and connection for future generations.