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ITEP’s Climate Change Training, Tools, and Resources for Tribes

Presented by Mansel NelsonInstitute for Tribal Environmental ProfessionalsNorthern Arizona University

(presentation created by Sue Wotkyns, ITEP Clim. Chg. Prog.)

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• Based at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ• Mission: ITEP serves tribes through outstanding, culturally-

relevant education and training that increase environmental capacity and strengthen sovereignty

• Served >500 tribes nationally in 20 years• ITEP Programs: Climate Change, Air Quality, Solid Waste and

Emergency Response, K-16 Environmental Education and Outreach, Tribal Clean Energy Resource Center

Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)

San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff, AZ ITEP staff retreat, Fall 2013

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Climate change is causing impacts

Source: USDA NRCS

Source: State of Alaska

Source: M. Lockhart/USFWS

Sand dune migration on Navajo Nation. Credit: M. Hiza, USGS

2011 Las Conchas Fire in New Mexico. Credit: D. Chavarria, Pueblo of Santa Clara

Credit: Swinomish Tribe

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•Mitigation: Dealing with causes. Actions that reduce level of greenhouse gases in atmosphere

•Adaptation: Dealing with effects. Taking action to minimize impacts of climate change

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

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• Plan and prepare for impacts of climate change• Impacts, vulnerabilities, adaptation strategies• Be proactive instead of reactive!• Develop plan; include in other planning documents

Climate Change Adaptation Planning

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Climate Change TrainingClimate Change Adaptation Planning •Regionally focused trainings•Process of adaptation planning; tools/resources•Talking Circles, presentations and tribal case studies, discussions, activity, field trip

Climate Change Adaptation Planning Nevada, October 2013

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Archives:• Webinar series: Pacific Northwest-focused• Climate Change Impacts: Marine issues, Forests, Fisheries,

Invasive Species and Pests

• Webinar series: national audience• Climate Change Communication, Role of Traditional Knowledge in

Climate Change Initiatives, Impacts on Tribal Water Resources and Traditional Foods

http://www4.nau.edu/itep/climatechange/tcc_archived_webinars.asp

Tribal Climate Change Webinars

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Website and Newsletter

Tribes & Climate Change Website• Basic information, Tribal Profiles, Resources

Library, and more• http://www4.nau.edu/tribalclimatechange/

Tribal Climate Change Newsletter• Delivered monthly by email• ITEP CC Program News, In the News,

Technical Resources, Funding Opportunities, Upcoming Events

• Sign up by sending email to: susan.wotkyns@nau.edu

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Outreach MaterialsClimate Change Fact Sheets• Focused on impacts and adaptation• Collaborating with University of Oregon• Available:• Drought• Fisheries • Forestry• Invasive Species• Wildfire• Water

More are being developed…

Available at: http://www4.nau.edu/itep/climatechange/tcc_SWProj.asp

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Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Planning Toolkit

• Adaptation Planning Background Material• Checklist• Template: Tribal Climate Change Adaptation

Planning Guide• Template for a Tribal Resolution: Climate

Change Adaptation Initiative• Worksheet: Adaptation Planning• Spreadsheet: Adaptation Planning • Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Template

Available by request: susan.wotkyns@nau.edu

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Contact Information

Sue WotkynsClimate Change Program ManagerInstitute for Tribal Environmental Professionals928-523-1488Susan.Wotkyns@nau.edu

Cristina Gonzalez-MadduxResearch SpecialistInstitute for Tribal Environmental Professionals928-523-8785Cristina.Gonzalez-Maddux@nau.edu

For more information about ITEP, please visit our website: http://www4.nau.edu/itep/