Events:

Here are links to conferences, meetings, and other events related to tribes and climate change. Do you know of an upcoming event not listed here? Please send information about it to Sue Wotkyns at Susan.Wotkyns@nau.edu.


2012

  • Webinar: DOE Office of Indian Energy’s START Program Status Updates
    September 26, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST. This webinar will provide an update on the Office of Indian Energy’s Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START) Program and the range of projects that were selected in 2012.  START and Alaska START aim to advance clean energy generation in Indian Country and provide federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native governments with strategic technical assistance to accelerate clean energy project deployment.
    arrow www.repartners.org

  • Conference: Culture, Politics, and Climate Change
    Sept 13-15, Boulder, CO. This scholarly meeting promises to be a lively and enriching gathering of some of the foremost International and American scholars in fields such as Environmental Communication, Environmental Policy and Politics, Risk Communication, Visual Culture, Religion and the Environment, Globalization and Spirituality, Journalism Studies, and Science Communication, among others. This cross-disciplinary conference will explore intersections between culture, politics, and science in order to enhance our understanding of public policy addressing climate change.
    arrow http://www.climateculturepolitics.org/

  • Conference: 2012 NTEC Annual Conference
    August 26-29, Traverse City, MI. National Tribal Environmental Council’s annual conference. More information will become available on the NTEC website.
    arrow http://ntec.org/annualmeeting.html

  • Webinar: Grid Reliability – Impacts to Tribal Renewable Projects
    July 25, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST. US Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy Program. In 2008 NERC reliability standards compliance became mandatory. This has raised the importance of compliance programs throughout the electric industry, as noncompliance can result in monetary sanctions. This webinar will provide an overview of the purpose and organization of a compliance program, what parts of the bulk electric system are in scope, the range of reliability standards affecting power operations and maintenance, responsible registered entities, and how tribal renewable projects can be impacted by reliability requirements.
    arrow www.repartners.org

  • Symposium: First Stewards Symposium
    July 16-19, Washington, DC, at the National Museum of the American Indian. The symposium will be hosted by the four Coastal Treaty Tribes (Hoh, Makah, Quileute, and Quinault) in conjunction with the US Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and the Nature Conservancy. More information to come.

  • Training: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment    
    June 19-21, Shepherdstown, WV). This course offered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service is based on the January 2011 publication "Scanning the Conservation Horizon - A Guide to Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment" (www.nwf.org/vulnerabilityguide). The course is designed to guide conservation and resource management practitioners in two essential elements in the design of climate adaptation plans. Specifically, it will provide guidance in identifying which species or habitats are likely to be most strongly affected by projected changes; and understanding why these resources are likely to be vulnerable. Vulnerability Assessments are a critical tool in undertaking any climate change planning or implementation. Registration is open to all applicants through the FWS’s National Conservation Training Center.
    arrow http://training.fws.gov/CSP/Resources/climate_change/vulnerability.html

  • Webinar: Today’s Energy Supply – Yesterday’s Grid
    May 30, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST. From the US Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy Program, this webinar will include an informative session and discussion on how utilities’ generation portfolios are changing, often faster than the grid infrastructure that supports them, and the challenges utilities currently face in integrating new generation and demand (load) response technologies into a grid that was designed to operate a different way.  Discussions will include transmission studies from the Western Grid Group and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
    arrow www.repartners.org

  • Conference: Climate Adaptation Futures Conference: International Conference on Climate Adaptation 2012
    May 29-31, Tucson, AZ. Co-hosted and convened by the University of Arizona and UNEP's Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (PROVIA). Conference focuses on adaptation to climate variability and change and will bring together researchers, policy makers, and practitioners from developed and developing countries to share insights into the challenges and opportunities that adaptation presents. It will showcase cutting-edge research from around the world, focusing on themes of equity and risk, learning, capacity building, methodology, adaptation finance and investment, and ecosystem based adaptation approaches. It will explore practical adaptation policies and approaches, and share strategies for decision making from the international to the local scale.
    www.adaptation.arizona.edu/adaptation2012

  • Conference: Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change Conference
    May 23-24, Eugene, OR. Student-focused conference. Students from a diversity of disciplines will present research related to climate and culture in the Americas alongside faculty and graduate students. Students will present their research in either oral paper panels or poster sessions, and a broader local and regional community will be invited to participate, including American Indian and Alaska Native students from tribal colleges and others from native communities. The conference will also have keynote lectures from indigenous leaders involved in climate change issues from Alaska to the continental United States.
    http://uoclimateconference.wordpress.com

  • Conference: 2012 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality--NTF
    May 22-24, Tulsa, OK. Co-sponsored by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) and the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA) in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Plenary and breakout sessions will include presentations on Ambient Air Quality, Indoor Air Quality and Climate Change. All interested tribal environmental professionals, US EPA representatives, and members of national or local organizations with links to Indian Country are encouraged to attend.
    www4.nau.edu/itep/conferences/confr_ntf.asp

  • Symposium: 17th Wildland Shrub Symposium May 22-24, Las Cruces, NM. Sponsored by Shrub Research Consortium; NMSU, College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; USDA-ARS Research program based at the Jornada Experimental Range; USDA-FS Rocky Mountain Research Station. Papers on Wildfire, Invasive Species, Restoration, Wildlife, Climate Change, Recreation, Livestock Grazing, Social and Economic Aspects, and Shrub Biology are encouraged.
    Deadline for abstracts: 3/31/12.
    http://jornada.nmsu.edu/wildland-shrub-symposium

  • Conference: Fifth Annual Renewable Energy Projects in Indian Country Conference
    May 21-22, Scottsdale, AZ. It is likely renewable energy will power our homes, businesses, and potentially even our economy in the near future. Indian Country contains 5% of the land and 10% of the undeveloped natural resources in the United States that could be used for renewable energy projects, but there are many obstacles tribes must overcome to bring these projects to fruition. At Native Nation Events’ Fifth Annual Renewable Energy Projects in Indian Country Conference, a forum of tribal leaders and professionals will address these issues. Discussions will include: increasing access to private capital, feasibility studies, and how we can create sustainable and environmentally responsible economies with renewable energy projects for the future generations of Indian Country.
    www.nativenationevents.org/EventsNativeAmericanConferences.asp?eventID=79

  • Conference: EPA Region 10 Tribal Leaders' Summit
    April 30-May 4, Grand Ronde, OR. Hosted by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Theme is "Common Ground: Sharing Successes, Experiences, and Resources." The Summit will bring together federal and tribal governments to explore opportunities to partner and leverage shared resources. Tracks include: 1) Waste (emergency response, junk metal/litter, recycling/composting); 2) Toxics (setting standards for water/ sediment, household toxics, exposure reduction, monitoring, education); 3) Sustainable Communities/Growth (green infrastructure planning, stormwater management, alternative energy & conservation, climate change); and 4) Hot Topics (other topics not covered by the above three categories).
    www.grandronde.org/tls/

  • ITEP Training: Weatherization and Indoor Air Quality
    April 24-27, Oneida, WI. This course will bring together tribal environmental, housing, and health staff to learn how weatherization can impact indoor air quality. After completing this course, participants will be able to assess a home for indoor air pollutants, conduct an investigation for combustion safety, test a home for radon, and educate occupants about the importance of a healthful indoor environment.
    www4.nau.edu/itep/air/training_aq.asp

  • Training: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment    
    April 10-11, Phoenix, AZ. This course offered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service is based on the January 2011 publication "Scanning the Conservation Horizon - A Guide to Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment" (www.nwf.org/vulnerabilityguide). The course is designed to guide conservation and resource management practitioners in two essential elements in the design of climate adaptation plans. Specifically, it will provide guidance in identifying which species or habitats are likely to be most strongly affected by projected changes; and understanding why these resources are likely to be vulnerable. Vulnerability Assessments are a critical tool in undertaking any climate change planning or implementation. Registration is open to all applicants through the FWS’s National Conservation Training Center.
    http://training.fws.gov/CSP/Resources/climate_change/vulnerability.html

  • Echoes of the Earth in Times of Climate Change
    April 5-6, Bozeman, MT. Coordinated by Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development and Hopa Mountain. During the event, Native leaders, artists and visionaries will express and elevate regional, national and international perspectives on climate change.
    www.facebook.com/events/307829135925131/?ref=notif&notif_t=event_invite

  • Webinar: Understanding the Interconnection and Transmission Service Queues
    March 28, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST. Western Area Power Administration has more than 16,000 megawatts of proposed renewable resources in its collective Large Generator Interconnection Queues, representing more than 79 requests.  This webinar will answer the following questions: What is the Large Generator Interconnection Procedure?  How is transmission service requested?  What does this mean for Tribes interested in gaining access to the transmission system?
    www.repartners.org

  • Workshop: National LCC Workshop
    March 27-28, Denver, Colorado.  Doug Austen, National Coordinator for LCCs, and staff from many of the 21 individual LCCs across North America have developed an event that will well serve the conservation community in advancing collective efforts through the LCC's and many other means.  The workshop will address issues of and provide tools for landscape-scale conservation.
    www.nationallcc2012.com

  • Training: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
    March 20-22, Fort Collins, CO; June 19-21, Shepherdstown, WV). This course offered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service is based on the January 2011 publication "Scanning the Conservation Horizon - A Guide to Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment" (www.nwf.org/vulnerabilityguide). The course is designed to guide conservation and resource management practitioners in two essential elements in the design of climate adaptation plans. Specifically, it will provide guidance in identifying which species or habitats are likely to be most strongly affected by projected changes; and understanding why these resources are likely to be vulnerable. Vulnerability Assessments are a critical tool in undertaking any climate change planning or implementation. Registration is open to all applicants through the FWS’s National Conservation Training Center.
    http://training.fws.gov/CSP/Resources/climate_change/vulnerability.html

  • Conference: 2012 Sustainable Water Management Conference
    March 18-21, Portland, OR. American Waterworks Association. The 2012 Sustainable Water Management Conference will be a true sustainability conference focused on water resources integration. This conference seeks to combine technical presentations with in-depth discussions on legal, regulatory, and legislative matters facing water utilities today.   The conference will address a wide range of topics concerning sustainable water management, including managing water resources and the environment, water conservation, sustainable utilities and infrastructure, urban planning and design, and community sustainability.
    www.awwa.org/Conferences/SustainableManagement.cfm?ItemNumber=56511&&navItemNumber=56514

  • Conference: Climate Leadership Conference
    February 29-March 1, Fort Lauderdale, FL. The conference will bring together leaders from business, government and academic institutions, and the non-profit community interested in exchanging ideas and information on how to address climate change while simultaneously running their operations more competitively and sustainably.
    www.climateleadershipconference.org/index.html

  • Webinar: Unwinding Transmission Policies
    February 29, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST. From the US Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy Program, this webinar will answer the following questions: What is transmission policy, how is it established, and who are the players? How is transmission policy enforced, and who does it? What are some of the policy issues today, and what is their potential impact on transmission resources, i.e. Order 1000 (Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation)?
    www.repartners.org

  • Webinar: Shifting Seasons: Tribal Communities Fostering Resiliency to Climate Change
    February 29, 3:30 Eastern. Offered by New England Climate Colloquium: Climate Change Impacts on the Northeastern U.S. Three speakers from the College of Menominee Nation will share stories of how Tribal Colleges are leading efforts that build resilience to climate change in their tribal communities and will share their story of College of Menominee Nation’s Sustainable Development Institute.
    www.cns.umass.edu/neclimate/content/shifting-seasons-tribal-communities-fostering-resiliency-climate-change

  • Draft for Review: National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy February 28, February 23, February 16, February 14, February 8, February 2, January 30. (US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) A draft of the NFWPCAS has been released for comment, and the authors are seeking tribal consultation.  Tribal information sessions run from January 30 – February 28 across the country (www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/tribal-consult-sessions.php). The mission of the NFWPCAS is to provide a nation-wide unified approach to safeguard biodiversity, ecosystem functions and sustainable uses of fish, wildlife and plants in a changing climate.
    www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/index.php

  • Conference: Southwest Fire Ecology Conference—Fire, Landscapes, Wildlife & People: Building Alliances for Restoring Ecosystem Resilience
    Feb 27-March 1, Santa Fe, NM. Co-sponsored by The Association for Fire Ecology (AFE), in association with Humboldt State University. Anyone interested in the fire ecology and the general ecology of this area should plan to attend.
    www.humboldt.edu/swfire/

  • Conference: International Conference on Sustainability Science
    February 22 – 24, Tempe, AZ. The International Conference on Sustainability Science (ICSS) aims to advance sustainability science knowledge as well as consolidate and formalize its research network by soliciting the active participation of the different stakeholders in a process of scientific co-production. ICSS 2012 is the third in a series of conferences that will gather the world’s scientific leaders in sustainability science as well as representatives from industry and civil society in an effort to link the scientific understanding of human - nature systems with action to achieve sustainability.
    Contacts: Jim Buizer / Michele Roy

  • Workshop: Distributed Wind/Solar Interconnection Workshop
    February 22-24, Golden, CO. Western Area Power Administration; the Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG); American Public Power Association (APPA); and DOE's Wind and Water Power, Solar Energy Technologies and Tribal Energy programs are teaming up to present the sixth Distributed Wind/Solar Interconnection Workshop. The workshop, taking place at Western's Electric Power Training Center in Golden, Colorado, provides a comprehensive overview of wind and solar integration studies. Expert speakers will use case studies to answer your questions about interconnecting wind and solar plants and other distributed generation applications to electric distribution systems. Participants will get an introduction to UWIG's Internet-based tools for assessing a distributed wind project's impact on the local distribution system. Registration is $300 for on-site attendance or $99 for the four online sessions: A limited number of spaces for this workshop are available for tribal members to attend at no charge through Western. For additional information, contact Randy Manion, 720-962-7423. For more information, please send an email to info@uwig.org.
    www.repartners.org

  • Webinar: Energy Conservation and Water Conservation
    February 22, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM MST. Part of EPA region 8's Clean, Green and Healthy Tribal Schools Webinar series (www.epa.gov/region8/tribalschools/). An estimated 30% of energy--and related costs--used in schools goes to waste, a bigger number when we consider that commercial buildings, including schools, generate about half of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Energy conservation in schools can have a big impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Speaker will provide recommendations for changes that will reduce energy costs while reducing energy loss. With 36 states anticipating shortages of water by 2013, water conservation doesn't just make sense. The speaker will introduce EPA's WaterSense Program and provide suggestions on how to use less and conserve indoor and outdoor use of water.
    www2.gotomeeting.com/register/499411258

  • Webinar: Introduction to CO2 Refrigeration Systems (EPA)
    February 9, 2 PM EST. Webinar on CO2 refrigeration systems. Rusty Walker from the Hill Phoenix Learning Center will introduce different types of CO2 refrigeration systems, including cascade, transcritical, and secondary loop systems.
    https://meetingvisuals.webex.com/meetingvisuals/j.php?ED=181411677&UID=1360054062&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D

  • Webinar: Waste Reduction, Recycling, Composting & Gardening
    February 8, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM MST. Part of EPA Region 8's Clean, Green and Healthy Tribal Schools Webinar Series (www.epa.gov/region8/tribalschools/). The presenter describes many ways to reduce a school's footprint through reducing water use and the production of waste through purchasing and using no-waste products, encouraging no-waste products and composting lunch waste. Purchase right, reduce, reuse and recycle! Ms. Kelly describes how children have benefited from opportunities to garden that composting has encouraged.
    www2.gotomeeting.com/register/810891986

  • Webinar Series: Managing Drought in the Southern Plains
    2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 11:00 a.m. Central Time. Webinar series hosted by the Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program (SCIPP). With La Niña strengthening drought conditions will likely persist and intensify in some regions, combining with widespread extreme and exceptional drought to increase drought impacts. To stay informed of drought, climate, and impacts information, you are invited to a join webinars every other week to discuss current conditions, impacts, and resources available to help manage drought in the Southern Plains. Webinar series will focus on NM, TX, and OK, but the content will extend beyond those boundaries. The content is geared for a general audience - anyone who manages and/or assists others in managing drought and its related impacts. Registration is required; go to SCIPP website or send email to scipp@mesonet.org.
    www.southernclimate.org




©2002 Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals & Northern Arizona University
Last updated: February 8, 2012