A critical component of Stewarding Native Lands is preserving and protecting Native resources such as water. To regain control of water quality and watershed management, the Increasing Native Producer and Community Access to Quality Water Resources project partners First Nations with two Native American, community-based organizations to implement community-focused conservation planning and practices to protect this important resource.
The project is made possible by the USDA Conservation Innovation Grant to support Native agricultural producers to create, implement and sustain water quality improvement and conservation strategies, along with matching funds from the Hearst Foundation.
Beginning in 2021, the project specifically supports the organizational, programmatic, and technical capacity of one Tribal Lands Operations Department and one Tribal Natural Resource Department to address watershed issues.
Through the project, two First Nations’ community partners – Lands Operations Department, White Mountain Apache Tribe, and Natural Resource Department, Pueblo of Jemez – will be able to:
- Further engage Native agricultural producers in conservation planning, conservation practices, and water quality improvement.
- Support the development and sustainable implementation of conservation plans by Native agricultural producers to demonstrate positive environmental, economic, and social effects.
- Promote community-focused, effective water quality, watershed management and conservation practices by Native American community groups and producers.
Check back for updates on this project.
Learn about other projects of First Nations’ Stewarding Native Lands Program.
