[ECO]Arbor Day Foundation Indigenous Forestry Grants

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The Indigenous forestry grants support indigenous-led forestry projects across the United States, boosting environmental and economic resilience.

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 14, 2024, the Arbor Day Foundation announced the distribution of $8 million in Indigenous forestry grants to support community forestry initiatives on Indigenous lands across the United States. The funding, part of a larger $50 million grant from the USDA Forest Service’s Inflation Reduction Act funds, will benefit 16 federally recognized Tribes, Tribal organizations, and groups working with Tribal communities.

The

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aim to foster tree planting and green space development on or near Indigenous territories. Selected projects span a range of objectives, from promoting food sovereignty to developing workforce skills. In total, 26 Tribes will directly benefit from these initiatives, which are expected to have significant long-term environmental impacts.

Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, emphasized the transformative potential of these projects. “This is a unique opportunity to use trees to create lasting, positive change in areas that have long been deprived of green resources,” Lambe stated. He highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to empowering Tribal communities, noting, “We know our subawardees understand the needs of their community better than we ever could. So, we’ll be walking alongside them in this journey, using federal funds to empower them and their vision for their land.”

The Indigenous forestry grant program garnered significant interest, with over 50 applicants vying for funding. This response underscores the pressing need for environmental and community development resources in Indigenous areas.

The awarded projects showcase a diverse array of initiatives across the country, each designed to address specific local needs while contributing to broader environmental goals. These projects are expected to enhance local ecosystems, increase biodiversity, and improve climate resilience in their respective regions.

In Wisconsin, the Bad River Band and Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians are partnering with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation for an intertribal community tree planting project focused on food sovereignty and land renewal. This initiative will not only provide nutritional benefits but also help restore native plant species, potentially improving wildlife habitats and soil health.

In Michigan, the Bay Mills Indian Community is also collaborating with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation to implement tree planting for food sovereignty, land stewardship, and cultural resilience. This project exemplifies how traditional

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knowledge can be integrated into modern conservation efforts, preserving cultural practices while addressing contemporary environmental challenges.

The Catawba Nation in South Carolina plans to use their Indigenous forestry grant for an orchard and forest planting project aimed at healing both the earth and the community. This holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental and community well-being, potentially serving as a model for future initiatives.

Climate resiliency is a key focus for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma, who will undertake a multi-site restoration project. This initiative could significantly contribute to the region’s ability to withstand climate-related stresses, such as extreme weather events or changes in precipitation patterns.

In Arizona, the Cocopah Tribe is partnering with the Arizona Community Tree Council to establish a Colorado River Tribal Arboriculture

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, combining environmental stewardship with youth engagement. This program not only addresses immediate environmental needs but also cultivates a new generation of skilled environmental stewards,

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through job creation and skills development.

Alaska will see two significant projects under the Indigenous forestry grant program: the Louden Tribe, working with the Galena City School District, aims to restore original terrain and species, while the Native Village of Tyonek plans to establish a Tribal community food forest to promote food sovereignty and traditional ecological knowledge. These projects demonstrate how environmental initiatives can be tailored to the unique needs and conditions of different regions, even within the same state.

In the Southwest, the Indigenous forestry grant will fund a collaborative effort between the Navajo Nation and Pueblo of Zuni will focus on health and healing through orchards across Arizona and New Mexico. This project highlights the potential for forestry initiatives to address multiple community needs simultaneously, including health, nutrition, and cultural preservation.

The Pueblo of Picuris in New Mexico will implement its Community Roots Program, while the Quapaw Nation in Oklahoma will lead the Northeast Oklahoma Tribal Community Roots Initiative. Both projects are expected to have significant economic impacts, potentially creating jobs in planting, maintenance, and related industries.

Eastern Tribes also benefit from the Indigenous forestry grants. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in Florida will develop a community forest project, and the Rappahannock Tribe in Virginia is partnering with Friends of the Rappahannock, Inc. to build capacity for forest stewardship on ancestral lands. These projects could serve as important case studies in how to effectively integrate traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices in different ecological contexts.

In the Midwest, several Tribes are focusing their Indigenous forestry grant on community gardens and reforestation. The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, working with the Midlands Community Foundation, and the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska both have initiatives in this vein. In South Dakota, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe is collaborating with the Rosebud Economic Development Corp to create a sustainable treescape at Keya Wakpala. These projects demonstrate the potential for forestry initiatives to foster community cohesion and economic development alongside environmental benefits.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma rounds out the list with their Community Roots Program, further demonstrating the wide-reaching impact of the Indigenous forestry grants across diverse Indigenous communities.

This $8 million allocation is part of a larger $31.7 million in sub awards that the Arbor Day Foundation has distributed to municipalities and community-based organizations nationwide from the original $50 million USDA Forest Service grant.

As these projects unfold, they promise to bring environmental benefits and cultural, economic, and social advantages to Indigenous communities across the United States, reinforcing the interconnection between land stewardship and community well-being. The integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation practices could lead to more resilient and sustainable outcomes, potentially informing future environmental initiatives both within and beyond Indigenous territories.

The economic benefits of projects funded by the Indigenous forestry grants are expected to be substantial and multifaceted. Beyond the immediate jobs created in planting and maintaining new green spaces, these initiatives could spark growth in related industries such as sustainable forestry, eco-tourism, and traditional crafts. Moreover, the focus on food sovereignty in many projects could lead to reduced food costs and improved nutrition for community members, creating long-term health and economic benefits.

As the diverse projects funded by the Indigenous forestry grants take root across the country, they demonstrate the power of targeted, community-led environmental initiatives. Their progress and outcomes will likely be closely watched by environmental scientists, policymakers, and community leaders alike, potentially shaping future approaches to conservation and community development on Indigenous lands and beyond.

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