Conserving this Nation’s fish and other aquatic resources cannot be successful without the partnership of Tribes; they manage or influence some of the most important aquatic habitats both on and off reservations. In addition, the Federal government and the Service have distinct and unique obligations toward Tribes based on trust responsibility, treaty provisions, and statutory mandates.

Native American Land Conservancy ~ Resource Projects

The NALC was established in 1998 to pursue a vision of working with tribes to strengthen the connections to their culture, traditions, heritage, and to one another. This vision is guided and brought into focus by an understanding of the importance of sacred landscapes for Native American cultural identity, for connection to the past, and the critical role these landscapes play in helping to bring healing to the Native American community. It is also motivated by a sense of extreme urgency and an understanding that Native American sacred sites are endangered by unprecedented levels of development and a lack of protection under state and federal laws.

• United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Old Woman Mountains Preserve)
  This project, the third consecutive two-year grant provided by the USFWS, will provide funds for the Old Woman Mountains: Preserve site monitor to remain on site and ensure appropriate use by visitors to the Preserve. It will also provide funding to conduct state-of-the-art scientific research on desert tortoise populations and help protect these endangered animals. In addition, the funds will supplement NALC resources committed to the Learning and Healing Landscape program.

• Trust for Public Lands (Ancient Cahuilla Fish Traps)
  Now in its third year, this program funded by the Trust for Public Lands, provides funds for a site monitor and tribal liaison for the Ancient Cahuilla Fish Traps near the Salton Sea. The site, endangered by the use of the area of off-road vehicles, has a longstanding importance to the local Native American community. The site monitor serves to both register and record use of the site and to help develop protective measures for this unique cultural and historical area.

• Learning and Healing Landscapes
  Combining scientific and indigenous knowledge of landscapes is an area of emerging importance. The NALC program is unique in combining theory with practice, using the OWMP as a site where Native people can draw on the indigenous knowledge to both perpetuate this ancient knowledge and draw on the power of sacred land to bring healing to the Native American community. Working with other groups such as then Sterling Center of New York, the program also involves the participation of non-Native groups and communities to promote cross-cultural understanding of the value and significance of Native American sacred lands.

• Stewarding Sacred Lands: Emerging Strategies for Preserving Native Lands
  This program, part of the NALC’s conference series, is scheduled for 2010 and will focus on how Native American groups and communities can develop and sustain land conservancies dedicated to the preservation of sacred lands.

• Mentor-Protégé Project
  The NALC is available to assist other Native groups and communities interested in developing a Native-controlled land conservancy. The NALC is now serving in a mentor-protégé relationship with the emerging Kumeyaay-Digueno Land Conservancy of San Diego County, and their efforts to form a 501c(3) organization. The NALC is now holding title to 30 acres of land in San Diego County that has a cultural and historical significance to the Kumeyaay people. The NALC is assisting the KDLC as it works towards its 501c(3). Once the KDLC has received this status from the IRS, the NALC will turn the title of the land over to the KDLC.