Bringing Acorns Back to the Lab

A new exhibit at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science shows how a community can keep its stories alive even when federal money disappears. The project, called “Yuutka” (The Place of the Acorn), mixes real‑world plants with digital tools so visitors can pick virtual acorns while learning about Ohlone traditions. The idea grew from a $1. 4 million grant that the Trump administration cut, part of a larger wave of funding rescissions aimed at projects on diversity and inclusion. The team—led by Ohlone elders, local youth, and scientists—did not give up. They fought the cancellations in court, winning a decision that restored the grant and many others. The legal battle showed that cutting science funding for political reasons can backfire, as a judge ordered the return of funds to the museum and other agencies.While the exhibit is still in its final stages, funding uncertainty lingers. A recent NSF notice hinted at a new suspension over “foreign funding, ” even though the project has only used U. S. money. The researchers are planning another show about tule reed boats for 2028, hoping to prove that museums can honor indigenous knowledge without losing support. The story reminds us that community voices, science, and policy can clash but also cooperate when people stay persistent. It highlights how museums can become places where past and future meet, not just for scholars but for all visitors.