Tribal nations are priority science partners of the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) and the center is committed to working with Tribal partners to create usable, and relevant science to build resilience to anthropogenic climate change. The NC CASC recognizes the importance and value of Indigenous Knowledges in addressing environmental challenges and any tribal projects funded through NC CASC follow the Guidelines for Considering Indigenous Knowledges in Climate Change Initiatives to ensure data sovereignty and best practices for working with sovereign Tribal Nations.
To better understand, support, and facilitate climate resilience in Tribal communities, the NC CASC co-hosts a regional Tribal Resilience Liaison. This position supports capacity building for addressing climate change impacts on specific to Tribal groups and assists Tribal resource managers in developing a variety of resources including climate vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans, proposals and grant applications.
Additionally, the NC CASC has initiated a Tribal Climate Leaders Program (TCLP) to support Native American graduate students in becoming the next generation of tribal environmental leaders. The TCLP currently provides fully-funded fellowships to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Colorado Boulder in fields related to climate adaptation science. This a pilot program that began in 2020; new applications are not being accepted at this time.
To learn more about the work the NC CASC conducts with tribal partners visit the Tribal Climate Leaders Program and the Tribal Partners webpages.
