Building partnerships

NRCS staff are here to work towards developing a trusting relationship with your tribe. The work will move at the speed of trust.

NRCS staff recognize Tribal data sovereignty.

NRCS staff recognize Tribal data sovereignty. NRCS will respect that Tribal Nations may share important information with NRCS staff, such as locations of culturally significant plants, sites that hold importance for their members, or management practices unique to the Tribal Nation. 

NRCS staff will not share or publish this information publicly without the explicit consent of the Tribal nation that provided the information.   Additionally, NRCS must have permission before taking or publishing any photographs of Tribal members, plants, habitats, or cultural resources.  

All work done with NRCS is voluntary and free. NRCS is not a regulatory agency, and all information shared with NRCS for conservation planning purposes is strictly confidential. NRCS does follow regulatory compliance such as NEPA.   

NRCS staff will respect the answers from Tribal subject matter experts, recognizing that each Tribal entity is unique, with its own traditions, values, languages, customs, and knowledge. 

Steps for exploring collaboration opportunities

  • NRCS staff will work with Tribal departmental staff or subject matter experts to learn whether or how BIA has been involved in efforts related to forestry or agroforestry. This includes learning whether they work with a BIA forester.  If so, the NRCS staff can reach out to the BIA forester to learn more. 

  • While commodity production may be a priority, there may be other priorities informed by Tribal knowledge that are different from those of non-Tribal landowners. The job of NRCS staff is to listen to Tribal subject matter experts and determine what role NRCS collaboration might play.

  • Many Tribal Nations will have forestry or agroforestry plans. Some will have forest management plans developed by the Tribal departmental staff, often in conjunction with BIA staff. NRCS staff and Technical Service Providers certified by NRCS have also been involved in the preparation of plans for some Tribal Nations.

  • If you are unsure of whether or how NRCS might respond to a need expressed by a Tribal subject matter expert, consider reaching out to an NRCS state subject matter expert for advice. Braided Canopy can assist with that!

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