On March 29, 2018, Audubon Arizona hosted a forum with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals to discuss rivers, water, and habitat restoration on tribal lands. Eleven tribes were represented at the forum, including the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Cocopah Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Gila River Indian Community, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Tohono O'odham Nation, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, Yavapai-Apache Nation, and Zuni Tribe.

The goal of this forum was simple - to open the floor to tribal environmental professionals, giving tribal members, Audubon, and the Western Rivers Action Network an opportunity to learn from these experts in the field.  Speakers discussed on-the-ground restoration projects, conservation and education initiatives, and more.

Check out the links below to dig into this valuable conversation and for upcoming opportunities for further discussion.

• Opening remarks (Ann Marie Chischilly, Executive Director of the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals at Northern Arizona University and Sonia Perillo, Executive Director of Audubon Arizona.)
   
• Tribal Water and Habitat Restoration – Legal Perspective (Margaret J. Vick, PLC)
  • Part 1 (video)
  • Part 2 (video)
     
• Cultural Significance of Water and Natural Habitats
  • Robert Johnson and Lorena Hendrix-Clashin, Gila River Indian Community (video)
  • Shane Anton, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (video)
  • Darren Talayumptewa, Hopi Tribe (video)
     
• Tribal Habitat Restoration: Project Highlights and Best Practices
  • Kyle Trujillo, Arizona Conservation Corps - White Mountains (video)
  • Gina Leverette, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (video)
  • David H DeJong, Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project, Gila River Indian Community
    • Part 1 (video)
    • Part 2 (video)
  • Charles Enos, Gila River Indian Community (video)
  • David Lewis, Yavapi Apache Nation (PDF)
     
• Partnerships and Resources Panel
  • Kris Randall, USFWS (video (first half of video))
  • Melissa McMaster, RiversEdge West (PDF) (video (second half of video))
  • Russ Dickerson, Arizona Conservation Corps/Conservation Corps New Mexico (PDF)(video)
  • Russell Benford, Gila River Indian Community DEQ (PDF) (video)
     

• Upcoming Opportunities

  • May 8-10, 2018: Native American Fish and Wildlife Society - Northeast Region 2018 National Conference

    • Registration

  • August 13-16, 2018: 32nd Annual Native American Fish and Wildlife Society - 2018 Southwest Regional Conference