USDA Forest Service
Research and Development
Tribal Engagement Roadmap
Consultation - January 10 to May 11, 2014
[DATE of PRSTN]
Mission Statements:
USDA Forest Service
Sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the
Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of
present and future generations.
USDA FS Research & Development
We develop and deliver knowledge and innovative
technology to improve the health and use of the
nation’s forests and rangelands
October 8, 2009
7 Strategic Program
Areas (SPAs)
5 Priority Research
Areas
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wildland Fire and Fuels
Invasive Species
Outdoor Recreation
Resource Management
and Use
• Water and Soils
• Wildlife and Fish
• Inventory and
Monitoring
Biomass & bioenergy
Climate Change
Nanotechnology
Urban Natural
Resources
• Watershed
Management
R&D Tribal Engagement Initiative
• Effort begun in 2010 to improve R&D’s “corporate”
engagement with Tribes and indigenous groups
– Improve “2-way” communication, partnerships and joint
research with Tribes (not only improved science delivery, but
also learning)
– Better coordinate activities across stations on issues of national
and global significance
– Institutionalize trust responsibilities into R&D programs
– Incorporate diverse perspectives and traditional knowledge into
our programs and staff
• Builds off and responds to Administration priorities, new
threats/opportunities (e.g. climate change), and Tribal
initiatives (e.g. ITC subcommittee on research).
R&D Tribal Engagement Roadmap
• Result of multi-year process to inventory existing
R&D Tribal engagement efforts and establish
leads/points of contact in each Research Station.
• Roadmap supports, but does not replace the
USFS Agency-wide Tribal Relations Strategy
(which provides program guidance and
accountability).
• Roadmap is not change policy, but rather is a
communication tool to highlight existing policies,
priorities, and actions.
R&D Tribal Engagement Roadmap
• Roadmap highlights current successes, and
potential areas for further work for both internal
and external audiences.
• Consultation draft considers some input already
received from Tribes and intertribal organizations
(e.g. Intertribal Timber Council, NCAI, etc.), but
additional input very welcome.
– Main change to earlier drafts is addition of a 6th
objective focused on Decision Support, and addition
of the USFS-Menominee College partnership example.
R&D Tribal Engagement Objectives
The R&D Tribal Engagement Roadmap contains six
objectives that we would like to pursue in the
coming years (paraphrased):
• Enhancing Partnerships
• Policy & Training on Tribal Relations
• Cultural Transformation of R&D workforce
• Internal Coordination on Tribal research
• Joint Research with Tribes on issues of mutual
interest
• Decision Support for Tribal Land Managers
Enhancing Partnerships
Build new and enhance existing partnerships with Tribes,
Indigenous and Native Groups, Tribal colleges, Tribal
communities and Intertribal Organizations
• Build and enhance relationships with key Intertribal
organizations
• Engage with Native faculty members and Tribal colleges
• Build capacity in Indian Country to engage in research
partnerships
• Enhance communication on research results that are relevant
to Tribes
• Where appropriate, develop Research MOUs and MOAs to
clarify procedures and responsibilities
• Conduct Joint research with Tribes and Native communities
on issues of mutual interest, including TEK
Policy & Training
Institutionalization of Tribal Trust responsibilities
and engagement within USFS Research and
Development
• Improve FS R&D Directives, Guidance and policy.
• Consult with Tribes on FS R&D research agendas and
programs (including designation of Experimental Forests
and Ranges).
• Train FS R&D leadership, scientists and staff on
requirements and authorities related to Trust
responsibilities
• Develop Research MOUs and MOAs with Tribes to clarify
procedures and responsibilities
• Include and consider Tribes in all lines of research of mutual
interest
Cultural Transformation
Increase and advance Tribal and Native values, knowledge and
perspectives within USFS Research and Development, including
both operational and research activities
• Encourage Tribal and Native representation in the Forest
Service
• Provide professional development opportunities and technical
training
• Engage Tribes and Tribal and Native communities in
operational and program management activities
• Engage with Native and Tribal students of all ages
• Partner with Tribal colleges and universities
• Promote visiting scholar programs
Internal Coordination
Network and coordinate within R&D and across Deputy Areas
to increase Agency and R&D program efficacy
• Establish POCs and positions of authority for R&D Tribal activities
• Coordinate and share research activities and findings between and among
Stations
• Engage with Regional Tribal Relations Program Managers to share
networks and coordinate activities more efficiently
• Coordinate effectively across Deputy Areas
• Provide research support to other government-to-government
consultations
• Leverage R&D knowledge and relationships in support of Tribal and
Agency decision making
Joint Research
Through a collaborative and participatory approach with tribes
and tribal organizations, advance research (Joint Research) on
topics of joint interest such as:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Climate change
Fire science and management
Fish and wildlife
Forest management
Forest products and utilization
Non-timber forest products
Restoration
Social vulnerability
Sustainability
Traditional ecological knowledge
Water and watershed protection
Decision Support
Develop and deploy research and technologies to support tribal
decision-making on natural resources issues:
• Develop and deploy web-based decision support tools
• Strengthen and clarify contact information for scientists and
institutions
• Improve tribal access to research results and science literature
• Develop methodologies that are sensitive to Tribal concerns
and when possible incorporate traditional ecological
knowledge into existing Forest Service management tools
• Proactively address scientific needs of Tribal communities by
outreaching to Tribes and Tribal professionals
Contacts to Engage with FS R&D
R&D National Headquarters Point of Contact:
• Chris Farley, National Climate Change Specialist, 703605-5120, cfarley@fs.fed.us
___[Local]____ Research Station Point of Contact
• [POC Name], [Title], [Phone], XXXX@fs.fed.us