BIA Climate Science Coordinator BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Program and Southern Florida-Carribean CESU Rachael Novak BIA Climate Science Coordinator October 21, 2016 RN- CS Coordinator; SH is CC Coord I focus on coord and delivery of science and tools and also a good deal of our youth pgm; SH focuses on higher mgmt level coordination across DOI and BIA Navajo, Clans Originally from NM, AZ, UT- in DC for a while now, was at EPA, now at BIA

BIA Mission “Enhance the quality of life, promote the economic opportunity, and carry out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian tribes, and Alaska Natives.” Organization: Central Office (Washington, DC and satellite offices) Trust services, Indian Education, Justice Services, Social Services Trust services divisions: Real Estate, Natural Resources, Forestry and Wildland Fire Management, Water and Power 12 Regional Offices http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/index.htm

BIA’s 12 Regions BIA’s Eastern Agency is huge!

So FL-Carribean CESU and federally-recognized tribes BIA’s Eastern Region supports 29 federally-recognized tribes Regional Office (Nashville, TN) Serves 29 tribes 3 Agency Offices of the Region Eastern Cherokee Agency Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Choctaw Agency Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Seminole Agency Seminole Nation of Florida Miccosukee Tribe

Eastern Region’s Strategic Goals & Objectives Protect tribal and individual Indians natural, cultural and heritage resources. Manage resources to promote responsible use and sustain a dynamic economy. Provide economic and cultural opportunities for Indian country. Safeguard property and financial assets, advance scientific knowledge, and improve the quality of life for the Indian communities we serve. Empower the Eastern Regional Workforce to become highly skilled, functionally integrated and results-oriented. http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/RegionalOffices/Eastern/WeAre/Seminole/index.htm

A Few Priorities in Southern FL 3 tribes w/interest in Peninsular FL Seminole Nation (of Oklahoma) Seminole Tribe of Florida Miccosukee Tribe of Florida Highest concerns Water quality in Everglades Invasive spp. and T&E species BIA funds tribes in So. FL water program support and smaller grants for water management, invasive spp., and ag. For more info, contact Leonard Rawlings: leonard.rawlings@bia.gov

BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Program Where we invest: Planning, training & new information Program implementation is the program’s responsibility Reevaluation Strategic planning FY13-17 FY13-17 Planning Staff Capacity Vulnerability Assessments, Data & Tools Monitoring Our program is only a few years old, but the focus of the investments has always been on planning, training, helping tribes better understand their vulnerability to climate, and providing data and tools so you can incorporate climate into the programs. What we assume is that by incorporating climate into the early steps in the lives of you pgms/projects, your program will be more resilient to changes in climate [-but that will require monitoring of the revised program and re-evaluation to confirm that the way you’ve modified your program is making it more resilient to climate.] FY13-17 Programmatic Plans Implementation

BIA Climate Awards and CESU Annual BIA Competitive Climate Funding: ocean and coastal management planning and travel support Training and travel climate change adaptation planning, vulnerability assessments, supplemental monitoring youth internships Applied for partnership in 14/17 CESUs in 2015 and 2016. Impetus: BIA climate awards…but, any BIA program may use this partnership Let tribes know about these opportunities and CESU partnerships

BIA and CESU Network Remember: tribes drive decisions on what they want in terms of research projects. They are sovereign Nations and BIA has a trust responsibility. What can you do? Learn about tribal priorities Get the word out and let partners know about your expertise and the CESUs partnership benefits. Mention BIA is a partner!

BIA Tribal Climate Resilience: BIA Eastern Regional Climate Contact: Questions? BIA Tribal Climate Resilience: Rachael Novak, 202-219-1652 Rachael.novak@bia.gov BIA Eastern Regional Climate Contact: Harold Peterson: 615-564-6830 Harold.peterson@bia.gov