LONGMONT, Colorado (February 23, 2023) – First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) released updates today on its Indigenous Partnership to Advance Native American Communities and Producers project, which launched this year to bring together Native farmers and ranchers to coordinate services and resources to advance conservation, policy, advocacy, outreach, and education. The project is made possible with support from a three-year, $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS).
First Nations President and CEO Mike Roberts said the project highlights the experience, knowledge, and resources of the Native farmer and rancher partners to work together toward solutions that will be benefit the partners and Native communities overall.
“Every partner brings expertise to the field, whether it’s in conservation, policy, advocacy, outreach, or education,” said Roberts. “Through this Indigenous Partnership, we can learn from and support each other in ways that haven’t been explored. It’s a great opportunity to move forward Native conservation efforts and have long-lasting impact on our environment.”
Also through the project, First Nations is conducting a 2.5-day convening and conservation planning sessions in 2023 and 2024, reaching up to 60 producers with capacity-building training, peer learning and networking opportunities, as well as overviews of USDA NRCS programs to encourage participation. Further outcomes of the project include a published report of outcomes and models of knowledge gained through the project.
First Nations also moved forward with another aspect of the project – the development of short videos showcasing models of successful tribal conservation projects and tribal stewardship practices.
Information about the Indigenous Partnership to Advance Conservation can be found at www.firstnations.org, along with other programs and initiatives through First Nations’ Stewarding Native Lands program.
About First Nations Development Institute
For over 42 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities. First Nations serves Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org.
Program contact: First Nations Program Officer Leiloni Begaye, lbegaye@firstnations.org.
