1. 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

2. 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).

3. 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.

4. 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.

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

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

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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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.

13. Tribal EQIP Fund Pools

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. Native College Student Internships in Natural Resources

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Contact Information
Keir Johnson, Pacific (CA/NV) Regional Technical Assistance Specialist, Intertribal Agriculture Council
Pedro Torres, California Tribal Liaison for Natural Resources Conservation Service :
x7898