The Native American Policy. of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service articulates the general principles thatguide our government-to-government relationships with Indian Tribes in the conservation of fish and wildlife resources. The conservation values and partnerships that we share with Indian Tribes help the Service to accomplish its mission and fulfill our Federal and Departmental trust responsibilities to Native Americans.
For questions about this policy or how we work with our Tribal partners, contact the Regional Native American Liaison for your area of the country.
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas
Oklahoma
Click on a thumbnail to download a DOI state map for federal lands and Indian Reservations.
The Eaglecam at the National Conservation Training Center is provided by Outdoor Channel.Any advertisements associated with the video are not supported or associated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Outdoor Channel, in partnership with the National Conservation Training Center, provides this live EagleCam to stream the activities of the eagle nest located 110 feet up, in a tree on the grounds of the US FWS National Conservation Training Center. The nest has been active since 2006, fledging several juvenile bald eagles. The eagles return to the nest for the winter season around mid-January, with eggs being laid in early February. The eagles are wild birds, and anything can happen in the wild. NCTC does not interfere or intervene, and allows nature to take its course. You'll see life and you might see death, but this is real nature in action!
Southwest Region Awards Three Tribal Wildlife Grants
May 2013 For the Southwest Region, a total of 18 TWG proposals were received during the FY 2013 request for proposals, representing a funding request of $3,342,735. After a competitive scoring and ranking process, the top three proposals to be awarded are:
ARIZONA
Hopi Tribe ($200,000)
Ecology of Golden Eagles on Hopi Lands. This ongoing study will assist in the Tribes continued efforts in studying the golden eagle ecology within the southwest and the Colorado Plateau, via the use of satellite tracking and monitoring of juvenile survivability and dispersal within the Colorado Plateau.
Navajo Nation ($200,000) Golden Eagle Aviary for the Navajo Nation. Expanding upon the Navajo Nation’s Zoo, this funding will allow the Nation to add an additional aviary that will aid the Zoo in furthering its mission by providing a home for more than 20 injured eagles that need a permanent home.
NEW MEXICO
Jemez Pueblo ($200,000) Mule Deer and Elk: Habitat and Movements in Rapidly Changing Forests. This project will allow the Pueblo to further understand the seasonal movements of the deer and elk herds, identification of sensitive areas which will be critical to protect, and a greater understanding of the population size.
For current information and forms on this year’s Tribal Wildlife Grant, please visit our National website , or contact the Southwest Region’s Native American Liaison, Joe Early, at joe_early@fws.gov, or 505-248-6602. For additional information on all TWG award recipients, please see the national news release.
From left to right: LaDonna Harris,
Bill Voelker, Director of SIA,
Benjamin Tuggle, Southwest Regional Director USFWS,
Joe Early, NAL USFWS and
Troy - Co-Director of SIA, pose for a picture after the signing of the Non-Eagle Feather Repository MOA. Photo credit: L. Whittle, USFWS.
Establishment of the First Non-Eagle Feather Repository
(Albuquerque, New Mexico) Today, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service), in cooperation with the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, established a two-year pilot, non-eagle feather repository to provide Native Americans with a permitted source to obtain non-eagle feathers from federally regulated migratory birds for religious and cultural use. For decades Native Americans have used various natural resources and wildlife for subsistence, as well as for cultural and religious purposes. Feathers remain one of the most sought after items by tribal cultural and religious practitioners. To assist in legal acquisition of federally regulated migratory bird feathers, the Service established the National Eagle Repository in Denver, Colorado. This repository serves as a legal source of eagles and eagle feathers for qualified, federally enrolled, tribal members for use in religious ceremonies. At one time, this repository also distributed other protected and regulated migratory birds, like hawks and falcons. However distribution of these non-eagle species was discontinued in the late 1990s. Since then, the Service has looked for ways to help meet tribal needs for non-eagle feathers. In cooperation with the Comanche Nation, the Service is issuing a permit to establish the first Native American-managed non-eagle feather repository. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and a permit were signed today enabling the Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative (SIA) based in Cyril, Okla., to receive and distribute regulated migratory bird feathers, deceased birds and parts from zoos, falconers, rehabilitators and other permitted sources to federally enrolled tribal members across the country. Learn more...
Dr. Tuggle and Megan Mosby, Executive Director, Liberty Wildlife, at the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society Southwest Region Conference, Phoenix, AZ. Photo credit: Joe early, USFWS.
Two-year Pilot Program Provides Opportunity to Establish Non-Eagle Feather Repositories.
The Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative (SIA) based in Cyril, Okla., became the first permitted and tribally managed non-eagle feather repository in the country. Now in cooperation with Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation, Scottsdale, Arizona, a second repository is permitted. Under the agreement established through a two-year pilot, these entities will work together and with the Service to assist Native Americans throughout the country to lawfully acquire migratory birds, their parts and feathers for religious and cultural purposes.
June 2,, 2009 — A journey inside the facility and an intimate look at the Eagles and other Raptors of the world currently living at Sia. Also included in the video is an honoring ceremony for the Region 2 USFWS Director Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, who has been an active supporter of Sia's endeavors. Credit: SIA. (Time: 9 min.)
Non-Eagle Feather Repository Receives National Award Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the 2011 Partners in Conservation Awards to 17 organizations who have achieved exemplary conservation results with community engagement and local partnerships. This year’s awards recognize more than 500 individuals from all 50 states and include representatives from Tribes, local communities and states, other Federal agencies, business and industry, nonprofit institutions, and private landowners. The awards also include 150 outstanding Interior employees who are helping to advance important conservation initiatives are also recognized this year. Learn more...
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with
others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
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Last updated:
June 12, 2013
