The Traditional Ecological Knowledge is the rich knowledge of the natural world created by the Indigenous people due to centuries of close observation, life experience, and cultural exchange. It is not the information that is collected in the process of short-term research or in the course of separate experiments. It is created by everyday communication with land, water, plants, beasts and change of the seasons across several generations. The Traditional Ecological Knowledge demonstrates an integrated approach of cognizing about the environment, in which human beings are perceived to be one of the elements of nature and not autonomous of it. This approach defines sustainable operations that focus on harmony, sustainability, and responsibility in the long-term.

Indigenous societies were able to acquire the ecological knowledge closely through observation of the trends in the natural environment. They were able to learn how weather variations influenced the growth of plants, how animals changed their behavior varying by seasons, and how soil and water reacted to human action. These observations were relayed in the form of stories, rituals, and more applied teaching as opposed to written guide books. The transfer of knowledge between the older and the younger generations was done by direct experience. Children were taught through observation, listening and involvement in the day to day activities. This was achieved through this learning process so that the understanding of the environment was not too theoretical but in direct relation to the real-life experiences.

Sustainability through restraint is one of the main ideas of Traditional Ecological Knowledge. A number of Indigenous cultures focus on taking what is essential and giving natural systems time to heal. Over harvesting must be discouraged as this poses a threat on the future availability. Hunting, fishing and gathering is usually governed by rule to preserve the breeding cycles and the population balance. These customs show that they understood the limits of ecology well before the concept of sustainability gained popularity. This knowledge system is dominated by respect to natural boundaries.

Reciprocity is also a concern in Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Human beings are not regarded as mere consumers of the surrounding environment but they are considered part of a two-way relationship with nature. Thanks giving, rituals and practicing with respect are gifts that recognise that life is preserved through the exchange of gifts. This feeling of responsibility promotes responsibility and not exploitation. Environmental protection becomes a moral value and not a law.

Important example of Indigenous ecological knowledge is provided through fire management. Controlled burns were practiced in Indigenous landscapes in most areas. Such practices minimized the chances of extensive wildfires, promoted new vegetations and biodiversity. This knowledge was ignored over the years in modern fire suppression policies and has led to serious wildfires. In the current times, there is increased appreciation of the fact that Indigenous fire management practices can be useful in contemporary environmental management.

Another important domain of Traditional Ecological Knowledge offers guidance is the water stewardship. The indigenous people created advanced knowledge of water cycles, river behavior as well as watershed health. Water is known to be holy and a vital part of life. This view is quite similar to the ecological science today, but it was developed independently with the help of experience.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge also helps us to remember that sustainability is not purely a technical problem. It is a moral and customary one. Through demonstrating empathy and admiration of the Indigenous practices to treat the environment, societies can progress to more balanced and responsible relationships with nature.