Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals NTF / NTAA Climate Change Panel June 5, 2008 Cal Seciwa, ITEP Director
ITEP Climate Change Initiatives Current climate change initiatives include: 1. Cooperative agreement with EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs 2. Tribal climate change courses through the AIAQTP program 3. Development of Native American Sustainable Energy Resource Center (NASERC) 4. Education and outreach for K-12 students and teachers
ITEP Climate Change Initiatives EPA Office of Atmospheric Programs Cooperative Agreement –12 month project: January 1, 08 - Dec. 31, 08 –Three primary tasks: 1.Outreach and communication with Native American tribes and Native Alaskan Villages on climate change impacts, mitigation and adaptation issues. 2.Development of communication and outreach tools, such as a website, for climate change information, tools, and resources. 3.Development of a report that provides an overview of impacts and recommendations from tribes for addressing climate change.
ITEP Climate Change Initiatives EPA OAP Cooperative Agreement Task 1: Outreach & Communications: Attending meetings and conferences to discuss project and seek tribal input. National Wildlife Federation tribal climate change meeting, Albuquerque, NM, March 2008 NTEC conference, Santa Fe, NM April 2008 NTF/NTAA conference, Las Vegas, NV June 2008 NTCEM Conference, Billings, MT, June 2008 And many one-on-one conversations by phone and with tribal environmental and natural resource staff
ITEP Climate Change Initiatives EPA OAP Cooperative Agreement Task 2: Development of a Tribal Climate Change Website in progress. Profiling tribal climate change issues and projects from Alaska, Maine, Florida, the Great Plains, Southwest, Northwest, Great Lakes, Great Basin and beyond. Identifying organizations with resources and information to assist tribes address their climate change concerns. And looking for your input and suggestions….
ITEP Climate Change Initiatives EPA OAP Cooperative Agreement Task 3: Final Report & Recommendations We would like to hear from you!!! Please contact ITEP if you want to submit a comment or recommendation to EPA on what it can do to better meet tribal needs and interests.
ITEP Climate Change Initiatives AIAQTP Tribal Climate Change Course –New course developed this year! –August 19-22, 2008 Flagstaff, AZ –Registration for the course is now open –Lead coordinator: Sue Wotkyns phone: –Limited number of travel scholarships available
ITEP Climate Change Initiatives Native American Sustainable Energy Resource Center (NASERC) –Proposal and concept paper have been developed for prospective sponsors –Will be designed to provide tribes with Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy development assistance. –Will also seek to promote Native American workforce development in “Green” industries. –Partnerships developed with NAU College of Business Center for American Indian Economic Development, and College of Engineering & Natural Sciences
ITEP Climate Change Initiatives K-12 Education & Outreach with Students and Teachers –Access to age appropriate science / climate change curriculum –Can provide presentations to students and teachers on-site at tribal communities/schools –Can provide learning opportunities at NAU –Contact: Mansel Nelson
ITEP Contact Info Cal Seciwa: ITEP Director Phone: Website: