Tribal Climate Change Training and Resources

Sue WotkynsInstitute for Tribal Environmental Professionals

National Tribal ForumJune 15, 2011

Presentation Overview

• Overview of ITEP• ITEP-USEPA Tribal Climate Change

Adaptation Planning Project• ITEP-USFS Southwest Tribal Climate

Change Project

Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals

(ITEP)

• Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ

• Programs: • Air Quality• Waste Management• Environmental Education and

Outreach• Climate Change

• Serves federally recognized tribes nationally

Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL

New 4-year Cooperative Agreement with US Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA)Goals of the USEPA RFP: 1)Facilitate tribal climate change

adaptation planning2)Communicate climate change impacts3)Conduct outreach4)Environmental Justice

Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Planning Project

Tribal steering committee:• Steve Crawford (Passamaquoddy)• Rose Kalistook (Orutsararmuit)• Ed Knight (Swinomish)• Kathleen Sloan (Yurok Tribe)• Syndi Smallwood (Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians) • Margaret Hiza Redsteer (USGS) • Darrell Kaufman (Northern Arizona University)• Bill Perkins (US EPA Project Officer)• Lesley Jantarasami (US EPA Project Officer)• Sue Wotkyns (ITEP)• Mehrdad Khatibi (ITEP)

Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Planning Project

Task 1: Training Development and Delivery

• Build capacity of tribes to engage in adaptation planning

• In-person trainings: 3 per year starting Fall 2011

• Online course? Webinars?

Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Planning Project

Trainings: • Climate Change on Tribal

Lands(October 11-14, Flagstaff)

• Climate Change Adaptation Planning

Climate Change Training

Climate Change Adaptation Planning Tucson, AZ

Climate Change on Tribal Lands Flagstaff, AZ

Task 2: Tools and Technical Assistance

• Research and recommend adaptation planning tools and resources

• Host Adaptation Planning Assistance conference calls—AK and lower 48

• Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Plan Template –available by request (susan.wotkyns@nau.edu)

Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Planning Project

Task 3: Tribal Profiles• Provide written profiles of tribes working to

address climate change impacts

Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Planning

Project

Navajo Nation sand dune migration

Impacts to fisheries

Nez Perce Tribe--Carbon Sequestration

Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Planning

Project Task 4: Outreach and Communication• Tribes & Climate Change website• Tribal Climate Change Newsletter• Presentations and outreach at

conferences

• Southwest Tribal Climate Change Network • monthly conference calls

• Southwest Tribal Climate Change Workshop (September 13-14, Flagstaff)

• Report on AZ/NM tribal climate change efforts

• Additional work tasks not yet determined

Southwest Tribal Climate Change Project

Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS

Feedback

Please provide feedback:• Concerns related to climate change and

adaptation planning? • Tribal profile on your tribe?• Climate change training: Format? Topics?

Locations? • Resources that could assist your tribe

with planning for climate change adaptation?

Our Contact Info

Mehrdad Khatibi, Associate Director, 928-523-0946, Mehrdad.Khatibi@nau.edu

Sue Wotkyns, Climate Change Program Manager, 928-523-1488, Susan.Wotkyns@nau.edu

ITEP Website: http://www4.nau.edu/itep/

Tribes & Climate Change website:http://www4.nau.edu/tribalclimatechange/