Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
QUINAULT INDIAN NATION’S DIVISION OF NATURAL RESOURCES CLIMATE
CHANGE EFFORTS
Carolyn KellyAir Quality Specialist
Quinault Indian Nation
Tribes and Climate Change…
Climate change exacts disproportionate social, economic, and cultural impacts on tribes limited by
scarce resources, mobility, and access to information. These inequities are amplified as rates of change
accelerate (Bull Bennett and Maynard 2013).
Climate Change and Indian Forestry (Indian Forest Management Team)
Quinault Homelands
##
#
#
I-5
US 101
Forks
Olympia
Seattle
Aberdeen
#
#
QUINAU LT IND IAN RESERVATION
Queets
Taho lah
Threats to the Pacific Northwest
Ocean AcidificationSea Level RiseInvasive species/disease
Increased wildfire seasons
Increased severity of storms
Melting glaciersSevere droughtIncreased rainfall
5
Land Use Planning Move the Lower Village Purchase land to create a tsunami evacuation route
Loss of Ecosystem Function in the Upper Quinault River
1850ABUNDANT FUNCTIONAL
SALMON HABITAT(TAIYA RIVER, ALASKA)
TODAYLIMITED FUNCTIONAL
SALMON HABITAT(QUINAULT RIVER,
WASHINGTON)
Restoring Ecosystem Function In the Upper Quinault River
9
Integrating Climate Change into Forest Management Planning & Strengthening
Forests Climate change is considered in the new Forest Management Plan
(FMP). To protect QIN resources in what are expected to be changing weather
patterns and water flows in the coming decade, the FMP proposes to increase native plant diversity by reducing invasive plant species such as knotweed, assure shade over streams to maintain cool water for salmon, and prevent road-building close to major rivers to reduce erosion and maintain water quality during storm events that are projected to become more frequent in the future.
Changing climate has already altered the range of forest pests and diseases. In 2012 QIN was awarded a 3-year grant from USDA-APHIS to breed disease-
resistant strains of Douglas-fir trees for reservation forests.
10
Monitoring Ocean Waters
The QIN received funding from the highly respected UW SeaGrant program for a scientific research project to mount instrumentation on our fishermen’s crab pots to measure temperatures, pH, dissolved oxygen, and other ocean changes.
11
Youth Initiatives; getting students involved in the natural resources and climate change
12
Tribal Lands DayWorking with the
school to bring the students around the reservation to learn about the natural habitat.
*Natural Resources
*Water *Air*Climate Change
-Teachers-Students
-QDNR Staff-Partners: UW, NWIFC, Surf
Riders, Etc.-Others
Quinault Division of Natural Resources
The Climate Change Committee is an interdepartmental collaboration of technical and upper level staff whose goal is to organize and
coordinate a climate change initiative within the Division. The Committee will act as a source and
clearing house for knowledge, news and innovations to address climate change issues and concerns related to natural resources management and
protection within the Quinault Territory.
*Focused on researching and discussing potential climate effects to natural resources which are economically and culturally important to the
Quinault Indian Nation; the QDNRCCC also seeks to find funding and resources for protecting these
natural resources and mitigating for future effects.
QDNR Climate Change Committee!
15
Conducting a Vulnerability Assessment
Utilizing BIA Funding, Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) is partnering with two other coastal tribes (Quileute and Hoh) to assess potential impacts of climate change to culturally, traditionally, and economically important coastal resources.
13 proposals 6 interviews/3 days
Selected Oregon Climate Change Research Institute (OCCRI)
Results out: December 2015!
16
Upcoming Projects..
RPI Funding 2014: Collect freshwater fish habitat distribution and water temperature data in the lower Quinault River watershed to provide baseline data for tracking changes in the future.
BIA: Coastal Management Planning; funding allowing staff to travel to meetings for West Coast Ocean Planning.
BIA Travel/Training: Monies for staff and BC members to travel to trainings/meetings/etc. related to climate change.
RPI Funding 2015: Pay for .20 FTE staff time to coordinate climate change work and continue work on habitat assessments.
More QTA Projects!
17
Successes
Increased awareness of climate change and related issuesIncreased efforts by various departments/divisions
Increased collaboration with other organizations, educational institutions, tribes, etc.
Staff efforts providing a stronger voice for tribal needs
Knowledgeable and interested Business Committee Members QIN Strategic Plan includes acknowledgement of potential climate change impacts
18
Challenges
Staffing!Time, availability, etc.
Funding!Vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans, generation of baseline data, implementation of mitigation efforts, etc.
‘Doing stuff’General Coordination!
Who’s doing what? Who’s applying for grants?
Adaptation of Indigenous People
For 1000’s of Years, we have gained traditional knowledge that has enabled us to adapt to changing climates and landscapes
…Today, tribes and others must join together to help our communities prepare for and adapt to climate
change…
19
Questions ?
