USDA Forest Service Research and Development Tribal Engagement Roadmap

1. USDA Forest Service Research and DevelopmentTribal Engagement Roadmap Consultation - January 10 to May 11, 2014 [DATE of PRSTN]

2. 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

3. October 8, 2009

4. 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

5. 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).

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Contacts to Engage with FS R&D R&D National Headquarters Point of Contact: • Chris Farley, National Climate Change Specialist, 703-605-5120, cfarley@fs.fed.us ___[Local]____ Research Station Point of Contact • [POC Name], [Title], [Phone], XXXX@fs.fed.us