. >> reporter: valentin lopez is part of the amu muttsun tribe.said his tribe was relocated and very few remain in the area. but he says that doesn't change the spiritual and historical importance of the hills. >> we have no protection for our sacred sites. this here was a catholic, a mormon, a jewish, buddhist or any other religion it would have protections but because it's an amuh muttsun site it has no protections whatsoever. and that is shameful. it really is shameful. should not allow the destruction of our sacred site. >> reporter: the project was first proposed in 2015, but the environmental impact report is finished. but it is precisely the impact to the environment that has convert invitation groups joining the fight as well. >> it's considered -- universally considered one of the most important areas for wildlife connectivity. >> reporter: alice kaufman says this spot at the bottom of the suz mountains is a key point of passage from the coast to inland areas for all kind of wildlife. >> in order to get across 101, they have to go through

there is a very important ceremony too because as it cleanses the land it purifies the leg valentin lopez is chairman of the amamutsen which is indigenous to a wide area of the south bay and beyond he says traditional fire practices provide multiple benefits from clearing away damaging insects to purifying water runoff into recent streams knowledge that stretches back thousands of years. so there's a lot of benefits in this indigenous knowledge and that's what the scientists are working and that's why they want to work with us today bring back those. that that science that indigenous science and the value is becoming more visible across the west this month national geographic a partner of abc 7 is devoting an issue to the growing work of indigenous peoples reclaiming their ancestral lands and way of life including nations like the europe who are using traditional fire techniques to manage their land and streams in the northern reaches of california and recognize that indigenous history and knowledge that we have about how to take care of in science. it's also happening at a time of increa

there is a very important ceremony too because as it cleanses the land it purifies the land valentin lopezrman of the amamutsen which is indigenous to a wide area of the south bay and beyond he says traditional fire practices provide multiple. it from clearing away damaging insects to purifying water runoff into adjacent streams knowledge that stretches back thousands of years. so there's a lot of benefits in this indigenous knowledge and that's what the scientists are working and that's why they want to work with us today to bring back those. that that science that indigenous science and the value is becoming more visible across the west this month national geographic a partner of abc 7 is devoting an issue to the growing work of indigenous peoples reclaiming their ancestral lands and way of life including nations like the europe who are using traditional fire techniques to manage their land and streams in the northern reaches of california and recognize that indigenous history and knowledge that we have about how to take care of this plants. it's also happening at a time of increased int