Opportunities for Tribal Natural Resource Conservation Intertribal Agriculture Council and Natural Resources Conservation Service: Opportunities for Tribal Natural Resource Conservation Keir Johnson-REYES, pacific Region Technical Assistance Specialist, Intertribal Agriculture Council Pedro Torres, California Tribal Liaison for Natural Resources Conservation Service

Natural Resources Conservation Service “Helping People Help the Land” On April 27, 1935 Congress passed Public Law 74-46, recognizing that "the wastage of soil and moisture resources on farm, grazing, and forest lands . . . is a menace to the national welfare," established the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). In 1994, Congress changed the name to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

NRCS Tribal Policy Indian Country NRCS recognizes and commits to a government to government relationship with Indian tribes. NRCS acknowledges the unique relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. NRCS will consult and work with Indian tribes before making decisions or implementing policy. NRCS will work with Indian tribes to achieve their goal of self-sufficiency.

NRCS Today “Helping People Help the Land” Integral Relationships NRCS helps land users connect the integral natural resource relationships between: Soil Water Animals (livestock & wildlife) Plants Air Communities (H-factor = Humans). NRCS aims to help agricultural communities manage their natural resources for sustainable stewardship that will benefit generations to come.

Inyo County Paiute Peoples Assistance to install irrigation, apply mulch, and reestablish culturally significant plants at Tribal Food Sovereignty Program.

Inyo County Paiute Peoples Nahavita Planting: Assisted in reestablishing traditional foods in a demonstration project and Field Trial.

San Diego County Kumeyaay Peoples Traditional Plant restoration. Reclaiming abandoned avocado grove and replanting traditional use plants

Plumas County Northern Maidu Peoples Helped reduce the threat of wildfire, and increased productivity and health of upland habitat. Doing this opened up canopy for Black Oaks, and provided habitat for wildlife. The conservation work prepared the property for traditional Mountain Maidu practices such as including acorn gathering and prescribed burning.

San Diego County Luiseño Peoples Helped remove brush understory, reducing the threat of wildfire, and improving Oak health. A source of traditional food and important cultural plant to the Luiseño people. Before After

San Diego County Luiseño Peoples Helped reduce erosion by reshaping forest access roads and installing water bars, improving access to traditional gathering areas. Before After

Riverside County Cahuilla Peoples Assisted in developing solar wells for remote watering sites and the installation of cross fencing to facilitate rotational grazing.

Mendocino County Pomo Peoples Installed an irrigation pipeline, on pastureland, with risers that allowed for a more efficient irrigation system. In addition, installed exclusionary fencing for livestock to protect the adjacent riparian area.

Tribal EQIP Fund Pools

Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) IAC is a 501c3 nonprofit membership organization, staffed by Tribal Members, and serving all 573 Federally Recognized Tribes in the country Mission: To provide a unified effort to promote change in Indian Agriculture for the benefit of Indian People. The nation’s most respected voice within the Indian community and government circles on agricultural policies and programs in Indian country.

IAC National Programs Native Youth Food Sovereignty Alliance Program Alaska Eastern Eastern Oklahoma Great Plains Midwest Navajo Northwest Pacific Rocky Mountain Southern Plains Southwest Western Native Youth Food Sovereignty Alliance Program American Indian Foods (AIF) Program Technical Assistance Network Program

IAC Regional Programming USDA Programs Assistance for CA/NV Native Communities Government-to-Government Intermediacy Regional Food Sovereignty Initiative Support Resource Identification and Partnership Leveraging Tribal Foods Marketing/Outreach Support Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Mentoring and Leadership Development College Internships in Natural Resource Management

NRCS/IAC Partnerships Conservation Planning for Traditional Plants Management Scenarios Pilot Student Internships Planning Workshops Training for NRCS employees Tribal Advisory Council

Conservation Planning for Traditional Plants Management Scenarios Pilot Establishment of 4 Tribal Conservation Planning for Traditional Management Project Sites in California Exploring functionality and applicability of NRCS Conservation Planning process within Tribal traditional plant management scenarios Enhanced exposure to 9 step conservation planning process and collaboration with local and state NRCS personnel Generation of a report highlighting recommendations for NRCS consideration, ultimately impacting future trainings and programming

Native College Student Internships in Natural Resources

Native College Student Internships in Natural Resources Developed in 2015 in collaboration with Reina Rogers (Retired NRCS-CA Tribal Liaison) and Dr. Beth Rose Middleton Manning (UC Davis Native American Studies Chair) 5 Components- Student interest driven, collaboration with active or new Tribal natural resource project, focus on professional development, exposure to USDA-NRCS careers and programs, service learning research Funded through cooperative agreement with NRCS- CA and available to Native college students/individuals with a background/interest in natural resources within Tribal contexts; available statewide

Planning Workshops and Training Introducing Tribes to: USDA Programs NRCS Planning Process Other Partners in Conservation Face to face with local field staff Beginning Stages of Conservation planning Tribal Workshops/Speaker Series Working Effectively With American Indians Courses

NRCS-CA Tribal Advisory Council State Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) Twice a Year Guidance to State Conservationist Analogous to State Technical Advisory Committee Weighing in on Ranking, Practices, and Resource Concerns Regional Tribal Advisory Council Regional advisory body comprised of state Tribal representatives and NRCS staff

Ways to Engage Contact Intertribal Agriculture Council to discuss various Tribal goals/interests pertaining to individual and Tribal agriculture/natural resources/youth engagement needs Contact local NRCS field office to discuss specific conservation goals Participate in upcoming local and regional outreach meetings Ensure contact information is up-to-date and maintained for future outreach and resource based opportunities

Contact Information Keir Johnson, Pacific (CA/NV) Regional Technical Assistance Specialist, Intertribal Agriculture Council keir@indianaglink.com 916-995-3209 Pedro Torres, California Tribal Liaison for Natural Resources Conservation Service : Pedro.torres@ca.usda.gov 951-684-3722 x7898