Keys to success

Just as a forest thrives through its canopy, we work in conjunction with you, our Tribal partner, to enhance forest health. Follow along the four phase journey below.

PHASE 1

Foundation & Relationship Building

    • Verify that project goals match both the Tribe’s integrated resource management plan (IRMP) and NRCS resource concerns.

    • Initiate informal "coffee shop" talks with District Conservationists before formal applications.

    • Formal consultation may be held as requested by Tribal leadership to establish sovereignty and project boundaries.

PHASE 2

Planning & TEK Integration

    • Ask NRCS staff to cross-walk their  practices (e.g., Code 666) with Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) to ensure cultural methods are allowable.

    • Work with NRCS staff to evaluate if EQIP (shorter term/site-specific) or RCPP (multi-partner/large scale) fits the project needs.

    • Define how the Tribe will protect sensitive cultural site locations within federal reporting systems.

PHASE 3

Administrative & Technical Prep

    • Ensure your tribe is eligible for federal funding here.

    • Confirm a designated NRCS Project Manager is available for quarterly reporting and NRCS coordination.

    • Identify where Tribal staff expertise can fulfill "Technical Assistance" requirements of the grant.

PHASE 4

Implementation & Long-Term Care

    • Establish a monthly "Field Day" for Tribal and NRCS staff to review work quality together.

    • Document the number of Tribal members employed or Tribal contractors utilized.

    • Work with NRCS staff to set up  long-term data points (water temp, tree survival, etc.) to prove success for future funding cycles.

Host your own workshop

We would love for tribes to host workshops and can partner with you to plan one. Check out the agenda from this past workshop for an example of how workshops can facilitate learning about NRCS resources.

Email Laura Alvidrez at intertribaltimbercouncil@gmail.com to get started.