Spring 2012 USDA FOREST SERVICE OFFICE OF TRIBAL RE LATIONS

Inside this issue:

Getting to know Leslie 2 Tribal Relations News Weldon Director’s Welcome Partnering with Tribes 3 on Landscape Restora- The Forest Service (FS) Tribal “Forest Service Partnership in employee may nominate an indi- tion Relations Strategic Plan hinges on Tribal Relations” award to the vidual or group for single or mul- The Network 4 the goal of “leveraging partner- leaders of five Tribal Nations for tiple award categories: ship to maximize mutual suc- their exceptional work in hosting cess”—this allows us to meet the the 2010 “To Bridge a Gap Con- Leadership in Tribal Rela- FS mission overall while better ference.” Appropriately, the tions Award Ceremonial Stone 4 serving Tribes. This edition of the award was presented at the 2012 Lifetime Achievement in Structures and Land- Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) To Bridge a Gap Conference in Tribal Relations Award scapes Newsletter illustrates the value of Durant, Oklahoma, on April 5, Partnership in Tribal Rela- partnerships and the great work 2012. The recipients were: 5 tions Award Klamath Tribal Forest we can all accomplish by working Crew Tribal Relations Professional together. Great partnerships exist Choctaw Nation of Oklaho- Excellence Award among Forest Service personnel ma: Assistant Chief Gary 6 in all areas of the Agency, be- Forest Service & BIA Batton If you have questions about the Forest Health Projects tween Agency staffs and individu- Chickasaw Nation: Gover- awards, please contact me or Pam al Tribes and intertribal organiza- nor Bill Anoatubby Williams, OTR Administrative tions, and between Federal Agen- Muscogee (Creek) Nation: Assistant at [email protected]. Historic Impacts, His- 7 cies to achieve a common goal. Second Chief Roger Barnett toric Solutions on There are few things I enjoy more Meacham Creek Caddo Nation: Chairman There is so much to share about than recognizing our partners, so Brenda Shemayme Edwards the Forest Service’s ongoing and I’m happy to report that we have Tribal Lands Day 8 upcoming work with Tribes been presenting a lot of awards as Absentee Shawnee Tribe of throughout the Forest Service - of late. In this Newsletter, you Oklahoma: Tribal Historic too much for one Newsletter. So can read about the award present- Preservation Officer Hen- please keep track of the latest Consultation Corner 9 ed in Washington, DC to the ryetta Ellis accomplishments with this and Confederated Tribes of the future editions, and put our Web Umatilla Indian Reservation for This is my opportunity to remind site (www.fs.fed.us/spf/ “Collaborative Aquatic Steward- you that it is time to send in nom- 10 tribalrelations) in your browser’s Editor’s Note ship.” I was similarly delighted inations for the next round of favorites list. to present along with Janie Hipp, National Tribal Relations the Senior Advisor to Secretary Awards, covering the calendar Vilsack for Tribal Affairs, a year of 2011. Any Forest Service

Tribal Research Update

Page 11

Leslie Weldon, Mary Wagner, Fred Clark, and Anne Zimmer- mann presenting the Collaborative Aquatic Stewardship Award to Mike Lambert at the Rise to the Future Awards Reception. Tribal Relations News Page 2

Getting to Know Leslie Weldon

Leslie Weldon began her Forest ideas to the discussions happening management. She saw how the Service career as a summer hire on around her. She appreciates the tribal culture, history, and value the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie value and importance of under- system were the foundation for National Forest at the age of 19. standing one’s self and others, their management practices. This She arrived on a Sunday evening, and what that means for working teaching from that workshop is unprepared for the weather and with different kinds of people and something that helped her contin- terrain of the Pacific Northwest. cultures including American Indi- ue to build her understanding of She was directed to her quarters, a ans and Alaska Natives with their Tribal relations with the FS. Gloria Owen being honored trailer behind the ranger station unique culture that ties them to by Regional Forester Leslie Leslie has held biologist positions Weldon at the Lolo National where she bunked for the next natural resources. Early on on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Forest’s new pollinator three months. She would spend through her appointment as a garden at Fort Missoula. at the National Headquarters, and (Photo Credit: Joni Packard, that summer surveying spotted fisheries biologist, Leslie would in the Northern Regional Office. US Forest Service) owls, monitoring regeneration begin to develop the socio-cultural efforts, and fighting wildfires. foundations needed to work with She also served as Stevensville District Ranger on the Bitterroot This initial experience did not in Tribes near the Snoqualmie For- National Forest, as Liaison to the any way discourage her from work- est. During her tenure as the ing for the Forest Service, but set fisheries biologist she interacted U.S. Army and as Executive Policy Assistant to former Forest Service “Well, I guess in motion her rise to a leadership with Tribes on this very conten- role as the Deputy Chief of the tious, sensitive issue of salmon Chief Michael Dombeck. Weldon was Forest Supervisor on the you could National Forest System. rights in the Pacific Northwest. She understood the need to coop- Deschutes National Forest from describe me as Growing up in the greater Wash- 2000 - 2007. Prior to her selec- eratively manage natural resources adventurous.” ington, DC area, Leslie was ex- while recognizing the treaty rights tion as Deputy Chief, Leslie was posed to area parks and forests in the Regional Forester in Montana. of Tribes. She worked with the and around the Chesapeake Bay. Mjakateiya and Tulalip Tribes, However, her first Girl Scout Leslie and her husband, who hap- tribal salmon restoration crews, pens to be a fisheries biologist, are camping trip would find her on and Columbia River Inter-Tribal the other side of the world, near very excited to be back in Wash- Fisheries Commission to ensure a ington after both have gained Tokyo, Japan at Camp Tama ex- healthy and sustainable salmon ploring the outdoors in an inter- tribal relations insight through population for commercial and work with Tribes in the Pacific national setting. Camp Tama Tribal harvesting. recreation area is about a 60 mi- Northwest, Montana, and Ore- gon. She looks forward to using nute drive from where her father Leslie credits the Confederated was stationed at Tachikawa Air Salish and Kootenai Tribes and her Tribal relations background in the work ahead of her. She has Force Base. She thoughtfully the Confederated Warm Spring recalls her formative years and Tribes with teaching her the value the unique perspective of having worked at nearly every level of the says “Well, I guess you could de- of effective government-to- scribe me as adventurous.” government relationships. She Forest Service and uses her experi- ence as filters to use in considera- fondly recalls spending a week Leslie attributes encouragement of with FS officers, from multiple tion of policy and directives that senior staff around her in helping are made in headquarters and will agencies, in a workshop on under- her develop confidence and learn- standing the Confederated Tribes’ be implemented in the field. ing to thoughtfully contribute perspective for natural resource Spring 2012 Page 3

Partnering With Tribes on Landscape Restoration

The importance for new, creative ues to collaborate with the USDA- Indian Community, Hannahville collaborative initiatives increasing- FS and American Indian Tribes in (Potawatomi) Indian Community, ly defines the future direction of plant restoration efforts across Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippe- the Forest Service. An excellent North America. Key focal points wa Indians, and the Lac Vieux example is the Eastern Regions of a major partner, the Intertribal Desert Band of Chippewa Indi- partnership known as ZAAGKII Nursery Council include: technol- ans. Northern Michigan Universi- Wings & Seeds Project, now in its ogy transfer and sharing, conserva- ty's Center for Native American fifth year. Partners and activities tion education, preservation of Studies also serves as a key partner are cross-cultural, cross- ecological knowledge, reforesta- in the cross-cultural mentoring The first native plants greenhouse on an Ameri- generational, and multifaceted, tion, restoration, and nursery program. The Cedar Tree Insti- can Indian Reservation while maintaining a consistent training. Meetings are held annu- tute coordinates relationships and east of the Mississippi! focus on landscape restoration. ally and participation is open to components of the Zaagkii Project The program objectives and tools both tribal and non-tribal mem- in consultation with Jan Schultz, focus on the essential ecological bers who work for or with tribal Botany, Non-Native Invasive Spe- roles that native plants and polli- agencies. Our partners have cies, and Special Forest Products nators play in the sustainability of attended this meeting for three Program Leader of the USDA-FS Partners and natural ecosystems. The project consecutive years and Dr. Scott Eastern Region. includes ethnobotany research, at- Herron, an ethnobotanist of An- activities are cross- risk youth involvement, native ishinaabe (Odawa) lineage, re- For additional information regard- ing the ZAAGKII Wings & Seeds plant restoration, regional tribal mains a consultant for the Agen- cultural, cross- workshops, vocational mentoring, cy. Larry Heady, Eastern Region Project, please contact Larry Heady, R9 Tribal Relations Spe- and technology transfer. Tribal Relations Specialist USDA- generational, and FS, a Delaware (Lenape) tribal cialist at 414.297.3777 or The word Zaagkii comes from the [email protected] or Jan Schultz, member, also serves as key advisor multifaceted, while Ojibwe language and translates to and liaison for tribal communi- R9 Botany NNIS Special Forest "the loving gifts which come from Products Pr. Leader, at ties. maintaining a the Earth." The name was suggest- 414.297.1189 or ed by elders from the Keweenaw The five regional Tribes working [email protected]. You may also consistent focus on Bay Indian Community as one with the Forest Service Eastern visit the Wings and Seeds Web helpful way to frame common Region are the Keweenaw Bay site at www.wingsandseeds.org. landscape restoration. efforts. The Zaagkii Project contin-

At-risk youth from Mar- quette County's Juvenile Court who have contributed Zaagkii Project Partners, photo courtesy of the FS Eastern Region 3,157 hours of community service to native plants and pollinator protection work. Tribal Relations News Page 4

The Network: Helping Tribal People Help the Land

Through a collaborative effort The Network is trained to guide ees and highlight the great work between the U.S. Department of Indian producers and Tribes they are doing in Indian Country. Agriculture Office of Tribal Rela- through the regulations and pro- tions and the Intertribal Agricul- cesses of Federal Agencies and can For additional information regard- ing the Network, please contact ture Council, 12 Technical Assis- assist with everything from finan- tance Centers – collectively cial planning, to crop insurance, Zach Ducheneaux, Program Man- ager at (605) 964-8320 or known as “The Network” – were to conservation practices. The established in order to increase Network is also receiving training [email protected]. If you represent a Forest Service program access, and use of USDA pro- on Forest Service programs and grams and services by American services to better assist Indian area or forest and would like to provide information for the Forest Indian producers and Tribes. country. The Network regions include: Alaska, Eastern, Eastern Service Network training packet By working to streamline existing please contact Ericka Luna at 202- Oklahoma, Great Plains, Midwest, programs and assisting producers Navajo, Northwest, Pacific, Rocky 205-0980 or [email protected]. You with the application process, the can also visit the Intertribal Agri- Mountain, Southern Plains, goal is to build a more functional cultural Council Technical Assis- Southwest, and the West. The relationship between USDA and Network is a new partner with the tance Program Web site at http:// Indian Country, while playing a www.iactechhelp.com/regions/ Office of Tribal Relations and we role in the evolution of those want to help make connections programs over time. with other Forest Service employ-

Ceremonial Stone Structures and Landscapes

“For thousands of years The Forest Service’s Eastern and Enigmatic Stone Features are and USET are collaborating on a Southern Regions and the United generally defined as human- pilot study on the Talladega Na- before the emigration South and Eastern Tribes (USET), manipulated rock alignments, tional Forest in Alabama to identi- of Europeans, USET share a commitment to improving berms, piles, cairns, standing fy and record (through non- Tribal ancestors used consultation, collaboration, and stones, effigies, mounds, niches, destructive mapping and remote information necessary to identify dolmens, etc. located across the sensing technology) a sampling of these sacred stone and preserve enigmatic stone landscape from New England to stone alignment sites on the for- structures and features and related ceremonial southern Appalachia. At least in est. The Pilot Study, under the

landscapes to sustain stone landscapes on National the Southern Region, these land- auspices of an MOU with USET Forest System lands in the east. scape features may be constructed (or its Tribal nations), will set the the people’s reliance Some USET member tribes and of soil or marine or freshwater stage for expanded investigations on Mother Earth and tribal members ascribe cultural, shell. USET tribes, and some elsewhere in the Southern and traditional and spiritual connec- professional researchers, have the spirit energies of Eastern Region. The pilot project tions to such features, with verifi- noted similarities in the layout, will begin in March 2012 with balance and harmony; cation from several State Historic structure, design and alignment of LIDAR data gathered by U.S. these stone structures Preservation Offices, and are en- such features throughout the Geological Survey in partnership couraging a partnership with the South and East. Due to relatively with the Forest Service. This re- and landscapes remain agency to raise awareness of the “intact” landscapes, many stone mote sensing data will help focus of significant spiritual sensitivity of these features and for features and sites remain observa- additional noninvasive on-the- and cultural value preserving them, intact, without ble on NFS lands in the East. ground work later in 2012. direct or indirect impacts to their today.” In the Southern Region, the FS physical integrity. Continued on Page 8. USET Resolution No. 2010:029 Spring 2012 Page 5

A Forest Restoration, Job Creating, Success Story!

The Klamath Tribe is rooted in focused on thinning, tree mark- were hand crew and restoration the forests. Strong connections to ing, planting, Wildland fire certifi- related, crew leaders incorporated, their forested homeland make cation and crew development, taught, and demonstrated GPS continued and active work on chain saw certification, and forest and mapping skills during pro- those landscapes a cultural and restoration equipment. jects. As the crew matured, they economic imperative. It comes as took on a new name: the Forest The SKC training was followed by no surprise then that Klamath Warriors. Randy Henry, Tribal Indian Development Resources forestry professionals are develop- Forester, said the final 16-member Steven Fitzgerald, Oregon Solution (IDRS) working directly ing and carrying out their connec- Forest Warriors crew is acknowl- State University explaining with the Tribe and the Forest to Forest Ecology. Training tion through restoration projects edged for working exceptionally consisted of both lecture identify areas on interest, issues and expanding their capabilities in hard and for the members’ skills and field exercises. small business. The Forest Service and solutions. The Forest Resto- and experience. ration Skill and Small Business is proud to have been a partner in the evolution of training, capacity Training name was shortened to Current partnerships range from “Woods Work.” Through the private owners, US Forest Service, building, and creating opportuni- work that the SKC and IDRS the Nature Conservancy, IDRS, ties that have put the Klamath The Woods Work Tribal Forest Crews to work. accomplished, the Woods Work US Fish and Wildlife Service, training served as the catalyst for Klamath Lake Land Trust, Loma- program was developed The beginnings of this success the Klamath Tribal Forest Crew katsi Restoration Project, and story go back to September 2005, (KTFC) to apply for American parks and recreation services. to train tribes on how to when the Forest Service and the Recovery and Reinvestment Act These partnerships’ continued Society of American Foresters (ARRA) funding. support will provide on-project effectively utilize the (SAF) entered into a participating training for Tribal members and Tribal Forest Protection agreement to build capacity of The Klamath Tribe was awarded a develop workforce capacity for the $1.436 million ARRA grant to American Indians and Alaskan long-term implementation of for- Act provisions for Natives for forest restoration con- assemble and train the KTFC, a est and watershed restoration crew comprised of tribal members tracting activities. Separate mod- project in the Upper Klamath contracting with the ules were developed and piloted and the first in over 50 years. The Basin. This includes a 10-year Tribe wanted to create a self- Forest Service to perform for Forest Restoration Skills and Master Stewardship Agreement Small Business Training. sustaining crew to contract forest and Supplemental Project agree- improvement work, and in the forest restoration work. ment with the Fremont-Winema Expanding on the pilot project in process actively pursue and secure National Forest to implement April 2009, the Salish and Koote- sustainable professional relation- forest and watershed projects that nai College (SKC) Forestry Pro- ships with a variety of agencies, includes the 1 million acres inclu- gram Instructors Adrian Leighton business, and private land owners. sive the Klamath Tribe’s ancestral and Rob Kenning agreed to teach lands. the Forest Restoration Skills ses- The IDRS provided a two month intensive training to two 10- sions. SKC was chosen because it For additional information from is the only tribal college that offers person crews. The training in- the Tribe please contact Randy cluded team building, technical a 2 year forestry technician and 4 Henry, Klamath Tribal Forester, at year forestry degree and has full advice, and ongoing mentoring. [email protected] KTFC completed ten restoration Randy Henry, Klamath time forestry instructors. One of or (541) 880-6786 . For infor- Tribal Forester their first training sessions was training projects ranging from 10 mation regarding the Fremont- to 450 acres through cooperative with the Klamath Tribes, in coop- Winema please contact Amy Gow- agreements with the Forest Ser- eration with the Fremont-Winema an at (541) 883-6741 or agow- National Forests. The training vice. While most of the projects [email protected]. Tribal Relations News Page 6

Forest Service & BIA Forest Health Projects

Every year the Forest Service (FS) surveillance and identifying their DOI and Tribal lands. They also works in cooperation with the potential pest management needs. perform field surveillance and Department of the Interior (DOI) DOI field units can get technical specialized detection surveys, as to fund forest health projects on assistance from the FS and must necessary, to supplement infor- Tribal lands. From the time of the submit biological evaluations mation shared with the FS. call for proposals to Gypsy Moth Destruction Once the project proposals are the funding of projects, several submitted, DOI and FS staffs evaluate each proposal for effec- steps must occur that may seem tiveness of proposed treatment, cost effectiveness, and biological confusing at first glance. To help need versus the other proposals from DOI. make this process clearer, the FS When projects are selected, the FS Forest Health Pro- transfers funds to DOI who then tection staff has “”In 2012, a total Sudden Oak Death! administers them to Tribes and broken down the process and prepared helps to monitor project success. of $958,000 will provided contact information by the local DOI provides a report on forest for anyone who might have ques- or regional FS Forest Health Pro- insect and disease suppression tions. tection specialists before the FS project accomplishments to the FS be allocated to can consider funding forest insect Congress authorizes the FS to by November 1 of each year cover- and disease suppression project ing all the projects funded by the fund 16 projects on provide funding for projects proposals. through the Cooperative Forestry FS the previous fiscal year. Tribal land.” Assistance Act for the purpose of protecting trees and forests from insects and diseases. This is ac- complished directly on National Forest System lands, and in coop- eration with other federal agen- cies, states, private landowners, and tribal governments.

By September 15 of each year, the FS requests proposals for forest Emerald Ash Borer insect and disease suppression Throughout the year, projects for potential funding in DOI employees can receive train- In 2012, a total of $958,000 will the subsequent fiscal year and ing by the FS in techniques for be allocated to fund 16 projects coordinate the project review and detecting, monitoring, preventing, on Tribal land. For additional approval processes with DOI. and suppressing destructive forest information on forest health or However, prior to this, FS and insects and diseases. DOI facili- Tribal projects please contact Bob DOI staff’s along with Tribal for- Western Spruce Budworm tates forest insect and disease Rabaglia at (703) 605-5338 or estry staff should work together to detection and monitoring activi- [email protected]. organize and perform general ties and biological evaluations on forest insect and disease field Spring 2012 Page 7

Historic Impacts, Historic Solutions on Meacham Creek

Each year, the Forest Service rec- Tribal natural resource manage- is the array of financial and in-kind “The Meacham ognizes the achievements of staff ment and is the principle by contributors to the $3.5 million pro- Creek Project was a and others who have made a sig- which the Tribe seeks to restore ject, including the CTUIR and a nificant impact on watershed the native foods of the community Forest Service Challenge Cost Share highly technical and health across the United States – and take responsibility for water, Agreement that allowed the CTUIR ambitious project to people who are making a true which is essential to sustain all to undertake construction on the restore floodplain and difference on the ground and in life. This restoration project fo- reach running through the UNF. their communities – with its “Rise cused on that very water, a stretch riverine processes over This project managed to create a to the Future” (RISE) awards for of Meacham Creek that runs con- 1.1 miles of stream excellence in natural resource tiguously through .5 miles of the highly-successful working partnership that sustain First in a challenging environment across management and education. On Umatilla National Forest (UNF) Foods for CTUIR. March 28, 2012 Mike Lambert, and .6 miles of Tribal fee land. It jurisdictional boundaries, funding streams, and ownership interests that Umatilla Basin Habitat Project was a first-of-its-kind project for Without the Leader for the Confederated both CTUIR and the UNF, and is truly staggering. And all of that cooperation of all hard work has paid off as Mike and Tribes of the Umatilla Indian one of the largest the CTUIR and partners, technical his partners are moving forward with Reservation (CTUIR) was present- the UNF have ever taken on. staff and community ed with the award for ambitions for phase two – another 1 Key to this project’s success was a and ½ miles of restoration! At the “Collaborative Aquatic Steward- volunteers this project ship.” One of fourteen recipients dizzying array of committed part- end of the day, this project serves as a would not have been ners, beginning with UNF Engi- model of the outstanding work that of this year’s RISE awards, Mike successful in attaining was acknowledged at a ceremony neering staff and hydrologists, can be accomplished with committed botanists, and others, who made partners and thoughtful planning our project goals.” – in Washington, DC for his yeo- man’s work in an historic partner- the project possible through their and engagement. Rise to the future Mike Lambert expertise and experience. This indeed! Continued on page 8. ship with the Umatilla National Forest and others to restore a 1.1 collaboration was made possible by a participating agreement, mile reach of Meacham Creek, a major tributary of the Umatilla authorized by the Wyden Amendment, between the Tribe River. and UNF that allowed each to Long a place of traditional and leverage their respective resources subsistence harvest for the to a degree seldom seen else- CTUIR, Meacham Creek was where. A slew of public, private, severely degraded by historic Un- and Tribal technical specialists ion Pacific Railroad operations, also contributed to the effort. which had extensively altered the Under the coordination of the floodplain with miles of dikes to UNF and Umatilla Basin Water- protect the tracks. This project shed Council, nearly 140 individ- sought to restore the historic uals from partner agencies and stream channel along with habitat organizations participated in a for endangered Middle Columbia five-day fish rescue and reloca- River steelhead and bull trout in tion project and Tribal youth this high-priority watershed. In were surveyed and installed, tandem with this goal, the project more than 40,000 native plants was undertaken to honor the First which were propagated for the Log habitat structure and cottonwood island on USFS land within the Foods mission of the CTUIR. project at the CTUIR Native restored Meacham Creek natural channel. USFS, October 2011 First Foods is the basis for all Plant Nursery. Almost as dizzying Tribal Relations News Page 8

Tribal Lands Day

The Forest Service Offices of Con- All volunteer events will be high- like organized hikes, educational servation Education and Tribal lighted on the National Environ- talks or festivals that honor the Relations are working with the mental Education Foundation land through the celebration of National Environmental Educa- (NEEF) website. Successful events cultural heritage kits to help pro- tion Foundation (NEEF) to invite will also serve as leading examples mote events, and access to free Cimarron National Grass- land Tribal communities to highlight for other Tribes who wish to en- educational webinars. their work in conservation areas hance local stewardship within that foster healthy communities their own communities. Exam- For more information, visit please visit www.neefusa.org/ and encourage land stewardship ples of projects include habitat by taking part in Tribal Lands Day restoration, trash or invasive plant triballandsday or contact Ericka Luna at [email protected] or Sue on September 29th, 2012. removal, trail maintenance, gar- dening or the collection of envi- Cummings at scum- Any community activity or land [email protected]. ronmental data. Projects can also stewardship project that benefits focus on the revitalization of cul- Tribal lands can be registered as a tural or historic sites. Events can Thanks to all Tribal Lands Day event by email- also be educational or recreational ing [email protected]. partners who

contribute to the

amazing work

being done in the Photo Courtesy of the National Environmental Education Foundation

field! Continued... Ceremonial Stone Structures and Landscapes

In the Eastern Region, the Forest Band of Micmacs, and several For additional information, please Service is engaged in collaboration state-recognized groups of contact Alan Dorian at and consultation with USET and Abenaki Indians to develop appro- [email protected] or Larry Heady the Narragansett Tribe of Indians, priate protocols for the non- at [email protected]. the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of invasive investigation of these Mohican Indians, the Aroostook stone features.

Historic Impacts, Historic Solutions on Meacham Creek

Thanks to Tracii Hickman [email protected] or on the Umatilla National and Mike Lambert for their 541.429.7283. For addition- Forest at [email protected] Forest Service Stock Photo contributions to this article. al project background, you or (541) 278-3819. For more information about can reach Tracii Hickman, this project, you can find ESA Consultation Biologist Mike Lambert at Spring 2012 Page 9

Consultation Corner Page 10 Helping to build long-term collaborative partnerships with Tribes!

The OTR supports meaningful and significant collaboration and consulta- tion with Tribes across all program areas. The OTR is committed to help increase opportunities for Tribes to benefit from the Forest Service pro- grams and to help the Forest Service benefit from input from Tribes, in sup- port of Tribal Sovereignty, self-governance, and self-determination, as well as Forest Service goals such as adaptation and mitigation of climate change. The OTR is initializing and institutionalizing relationships with internal and external partners, working closely with other staffs to ensure Tribal con- cerns and opportunities are addressed in new policies, and developing imple- mentation processes for new authorities. USDA FOREST SERVICE

Office of Tribal Relations 201 14th Street, SW Yates Building 2nd Floor Central West Wing Washington DC 20250

Phone: 202-205-1514 Fax: 202-205-1773

http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/ tribalrelations/index.shtml

Editor’s Note

Dear Readers, OTR appreciates every- I can be reached by email one who helped write, at [email protected] or and Thank you for your con- edit, and provided pic- phone at 202-306-1649 or tinued interest in the tures for this newsletter. (202) 205-0980. Forest Service Office of I have truly enjoyed Tribal Relations. The We look forward to work- working on the OTR emerging theme in our ing with all of you as we Newsletter and hope 2012 spring edition is strive to help build long- that it continues to help work, and the infor- term collaborative part- improve communica- mation in this edition nerships with Tribes. tion with our partners truly showcases some of and gains readership. Sincerely, the amazing work being Please contact us with done throughout the your story ideas or sug- Ericka Forest Service in partner- gestions on how we can ship with Indian Country. improve the newsletter. Page 11

USDA Forest Service Science Research & Development Tribal Research Update Advancing partnerships to redeem trust responsi- bilities, serve the public, and learn about the land

Background: Current Activities:

Forest Service lands both contain trust resources, and Engagement with the Intertribal Timber Council sub- border with Tribal reserved lands. Through treaty, legisla- committee on research. tion and Executive order, the agency has responsibility to maintain government-to-government relationships with Cooperative research on various fish & wildlife, wildland Tribes, consult on actions that have Tribal implications, fire, and forest health issues. and work cooperatively to manage Tribal resources. A coordinated All-Station Climate Change and Tribes As historically disadvantaged communities, and as com- project, to better understand Tribal research needs as munities that are often directly tied to their local natural well as learn from Tribal observations and experiences resources, investments in working with Tribes can help related to managing under changing climate conditions. revitalize rural America, reduce poverty, and facilitate environmental justice. Engaging with tribal groups can Establishment of regional Scientist-Manager networks also leverage the benefits of tapping into the diverse cul- in the Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and Southern re- tural experiences and backgrounds of Tribal members, gions focused on meeting tribal resource manager enabling the Agency to better serve the citizens of our needs for responding to climate change. culturally diverse nation. Seed and nursery partnerships to develop planting Tribes have centuries of locally-relevant experience man- stock of ecologically resilient and culturally important aging natural resources, and offer a great opportunity to plant and tree species. better understand the management of complex ecosys-

tems, on the ground, for the benefit of Tribes and society as a whole. Traditional Ecological Knowledge may pro- Numerous activities focused on engaging with Tribal vide new insights into how ecosystems respond to human youth, including school programs, environmental educa- interventions and changing climate conditions, and sug- tion programs, participation in community monitoring gest new strategies to manage forests and grasslands for projects, mentor and internship programs, and visiting a variety of economic services, cultural uses, and environ- scholars/liaisons with the 1994 Land Grant Tribal Col- mental benefits. leges.

Contact: Chris Farley, National Climate Change Specialist, [email protected]