From the Eagle's Nest | Summer 2026
- glassen2
- Jul 16
- 12 min read
We Still Need Your Voice!
Help Strengthen Tribal Fish & Wildlife Programs
If you haven't had a chance to complete the NAFWS Tribal surveys yet, we encourage you to take a few minutes to share your input.
These surveys will help NAFWS better understand the capacity, priorities, and challenges facing Tribal Fish & Wildlife programs across the country. The information collected will strengthen our ability to quantify Tribal needs, identify gaps in resources and funding, and ensure Tribal perspectives are represented in national conversations.
Participation is voluntary and anonymous. Individual responses will remain confidential and will only be included as part of a national summary.
Your voice matters. If you haven't completed the surveys yet, we encourage you to do so and help ensure Tribal Fish & Wildlife programs are represented.
Questions? Please contact Dr. Julie Thorstenson, NAFWS Executive Director, at JThor@nafws.org or 303-905-1250.
Dear NAFWS Members, Tribal Leaders, Partners, and Friends,
As summer unfolds across Tribal homelands, I want to recognize the incredible work being carried out by Tribal Fish and Wildlife professionals throughout Indian Country. This season is one of stewardship, growth, and connection—a time when conservation projects are in full swing and opportunities to mentor the next generation are abundant.
The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society continues to advance its mission by supporting Tribal natural resource professionals through training, technical assistance, leadership development, and advocacy. I am proud of the dedication shown by our Board of Directors, Executive Director, staff, contractors, and members who work tirelessly to strengthen Tribal sovereignty in the management of fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources.
This summer, we are excited to welcome new students and young professionals through our Youth Practicum and internship programs. Investing in future Tribal resource managers helps ensure that Traditional Ecological Knowledge and cultural values remain at the heart of natural resource stewardship for generations to come.
Our regional conferences, trainings, and partnerships continue to create valuable opportunities for collaboration and professional growth. By bringing together Tribal Nations, agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and other partners, we strengthen our collective ability to address conservation challenges while honoring each Tribe's priorities and sovereignty.
As we look ahead, I encourage you to stay engaged with the Society—attend regional events, mentor emerging professionals, share your successes, and continue building the relationships that make our organization strong. Every member plays an important role in advancing our mission.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued dedication to protecting the lands, waters, fish, wildlife, and cultural resources that sustain our communities. Your work honors the responsibility entrusted to us by our ancestors and helps ensure these resources endure for future generations.
I wish you and your families a safe, productive, and enjoyable summer. I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events and continuing our work together.
With Gratitude,
Donald J. Reiter, President
Native American Fish and Wildlife Society
Greetings NAFWS Members, Partners, and Friends!
I hope you are all well into your field seasons and finding both success and a little good luck along the way! Here in South Dakota, summer has arrived with warmer weather and a few intense storms.
It's been another busy quarter for NAFWS as we've continued delivering trainings, supporting Tribes, traveling, and adapting to new opportunities and challenges. This spring, I had the opportunity to present at the Tribal Self-Governance Conference in Arizona on self-determination contracts with non-BIA agencies within the Department of the Interior and deliver the keynote address at the United Tribes Technical College Research Symposium in North Dakota. These events coincided with the release of our inaugural From the Field: Elevating Indigenous Voices publication—a milestone we're incredibly proud of. We're already accepting submissions for the second edition, coming in 2027.
April was filled with hands-on trainings and workshops across the country, including a 40-hour CLEO training in New Mexico, a Great Plains Invasive Species Workshop in South Dakota, a European Green Crab Workshop in Alaska, and numerous webinars and meetings. A huge thank you to our staff for managing such a full schedule while preparing for our National Conference.
In May, we welcomed 320 participants representing 74 Tribes from all seven NAFWS regions to our 43rd Annual National Conference in Verona, New York. The week was filled with outstanding presentations, meaningful discussions, student engagement, and opportunities to reconnect with colleagues from across Indian Country. We also celebrated a record-breaking $25,000 raised through our online silent auction, thanks to the generosity of Tribal partners and donors. These funds will directly support NAFWS operations and expanded scholarship opportunities.
June brought another exciting milestone with the launch of our new website, nafws.org. Thank you to Gwen Lassen for leading this effort, along with Judith McKenna and Ashley Mueller for their invaluable support. We hope the new site makes it easier to access resources, register for events, and stay connected with NAFWS. The month also included successful workshops in Alaska and North Dakota, educational outreach with Tribal partners, and representation at several national conservation meetings.
Behind the scenes, NAFWS continued advocating for Tribal fish and wildlife programs through FY27 appropriations testimony supporting Tribal conservation funding, Tribal Conservation Law Enforcement, and NAFWS operations. We also completed our FY25 audit, held Board of Directors meetings, and continued strengthening the organization to better serve Tribal Nations.
As we look ahead, I encourage you to stay involved. Attend a training, join NAFWS, submit an article to From the Field, participate in one of our open surveys, or simply reach out with your ideas. Your input helps us better understand and elevate the needs of Tribal Fish and Wildlife programs and strengthens our shared mission of assisting Native American and Alaska Native Tribes in the conservation, protection, and enhancement of their fish and wildlife resources.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events!
Pilamaye ye,
Julie Thorstenson, PhD (Lakota)
Woksape Gluha Mani Winyan
Executive Director
Conservation Law Enforcement Officers from across Indian Country gathered during the 43rd Annual NAFWS National Conference to strengthen their skills, share regional priorities, and build connections through training and friendly competition.
Participants completed Tactical Tracker Level 1, led by Fred Osuna of Greenside Training, LLC, gaining practical tracking techniques that can be applied in the field. The National CLEO Committee also met to discuss committee priorities, regional training needs, the 2026 training schedule, and opportunities for greater regional leadership in developing future trainings.
The conference concluded with the annual NAFWS National CLEO Practical Pistol Competition, where Regional teams demonstrated exceptional marksmanship, teamwork, and professionalism. Congratulations to the Great Lakes Team for earning the 2026 Championship Team title, with the Great Plains and Southwest teams placing second and third, respectively. Kevin Modlin (Great Lakes Team) earned Top Gun honors with the highest individual score of the competition.
Congratulations to all of the officers who participated and continue to represent Tribal conservation law enforcement with skill, dedication, and excellence.
Registration Open: 40-Hour CLEO Training
Registration is now open for NAFWS's 40-Hour Conservation Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) Training, taking place August 10–14, 2026, in Quapaw, Oklahoma.
Designed for sworn Tribal conservation law enforcement officers working in remote and field environments, this hands-on training combines Wilderness First Aid (WFA) with firearms instruction. Participants will earn CPR/AED certification while learning critical emergency response skills, followed by live-fire and low-light firearms training designed to build confidence and readiness in the field.
The training is free for NAFWS Individual and Tribal Members, with space limited to 24 participants.
🔗 Register at www.nafws.org/training-and-workshops
Summer is here, and our Education Team is all hands on deck preparing for our final summer event—the National Summer Youth Practicum (NSYP)! Before we look ahead, we want to celebrate some of the exciting accomplishments from April through June.
This spring, NAFWS supported five Native Scholars in attending the 43rd Annual National Conference in Verona, New York. We also welcomed back four alumni from the 2025 National Summer Youth Practicum—Naca, Zoei, Marshall, and Stella—who presented their Natural Resource Stewardship Challenge project during the conference's concurrent sessions. They did an outstanding job! Throughout the week, our Native Scholars and SYP alumni participated in networking opportunities, educational sessions, poster presentations, and natural resource field trips.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 graduates! We wish our Native Scholars and SYP students continued success as they pursue their educational and career goals.
Looking ahead, the 2026 National Summer Youth Practicum takes place this July with 16 student participants joining NAFWS for a week of hands-on learning across Northern Colorado. Students will tour Colorado State University's biology labs, learn about raptor conservation at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center, and explore aquatic ecosystems alongside the U.S. Forest Service at the CSU Mountain Campus.
We invite you to support these future Tribal conservation leaders by joining us for their final presentations on Friday, July 24, at 6:00 p.m. MT via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zx34LFBNRKqHFUEM3euS2Q
Scholarship applications are also open! The 2026 NAFWS Scholarship Program application deadline is August 14. We are also seeking volunteers to serve on the scholarship selection committee. If you're interested, please contact Ashley Mueller, Education & Advancement Director, at amueller@nafws.org.
Scholarship Selection Committee Timeline
August 28: Scholarship reviews completed.
Early September: Committee scores reviewed and finalized.
By September 11: Scholarship recipients notified.
For questions about NAFWS Education Programs, please contact Ashley Mueller, Education & Advancement Director, at amueller@nafws.org.
BIO Corner
The Tribal Fish and Wildlife Working Group is a Tribal-only forum dedicated to advancing the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources across Tribal lands and communities. Meetings are held virtually, enabling broad participation and regular dialogue among tribal natural resource professionals. Discussion topics include, but are not limited to:
Wildlife connectivity and habitat conservation
Wolf management
Ungulate Conservation
Pollinator conservation
Reptile and amphibian management
Fisheries, aquatic ecosystems, and water-related resources
Other priorities related to tribal fish and wildlife management
Through this working group, participating Tribes strengthen partnerships, exchange best practices, and support the long-term sustainability of the natural resources that are vital to their cultural, ecological, and community well-being.
In June, the topic of focus was Fisheries & Aquatics with a presentation from USFWS biologist Andrew Phipps who provided an overview of Big Sandy crayfish restoration efforts by the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery.
Wildlife Health Surveillance and Management Workshops
Please keep an eye out for our NAFWS Story Map on our Events & Training page on the website for upcoming Wildlife Health Surveillance and Management Workshops at the NAFWS Regional Conferences. This peer-to-peer training supports Tribes in designing and implementing Wildlife Health Management Plans tailored to their lands, cultures, and priorities. Through shared Tribal expertise, participants build capacity to detect, respond to, and manage wildlife diseases while strengthening sovereignty and collaboration.
The next workshops will be the Wildlife Health Surveillance and Management Workshop at the 2026 NAFWS Southwest Regional and Great Lakes Regional Conferences.
Tribal Mapping Project
The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society’s Tribal Mapping Project is a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen Tribal capacity in wildlife movement analysis, geospatial data management, and conservation planning. The project provides technical assistance and training, as well as secures data while supporting Tribes in collecting, managing, and analyzing wildlife movement data for species such as elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. The Tribal Mapping Analyst provides support in mapping migration corridors and core seasonal habitat. The project strives to advance Tribal-led conservation while upholding the principles of Tribal data sovereignty and self-determined natural resource management. This effort ensures that Tribes have equitable access to modern mapping tools and analytics needed to make informed wildlife and land management decisions.
The Tribal Mapping Project is excited to announce that we have partnered with the University of
Wyoming, Merkle Lab to bring the Wildlife Movement Database App to all Tribal Nations.
Through NAFWS, Tribes now have FREE access to this valuable tool!
The Wildlife Movement Database App platform allows users to explore species movement patterns, migration corridors, seasonal habitat use, and spatial ecology data that can support informed resource management decisions.
Access to this database can benefit Tribal Nations by helping to:
Identify important migration corridors and seasonal habitat use areas
Support habitat conservation and restoration planning
Strengthen wildlife management and monitoring programs
Inform infrastructure and land-use decisions to reduce impacts to wildlife movement
Enhance grant applications and conservation funding proposals with spatially supported evidence
Build capacity for long-term landscape-scale wildlife stewardship
This platform is a powerful resource for integrating wildlife movement science into Tribal conservation planning and management efforts. NAFWS can also provide guidance and support for Tribal staff interested in learning how to use the app and apply its data to local management priorities. If you are interested in learning more or would like to begin accessing or exploring the database, please reach out.
As a reminder: The NAFWS Tribal Mapping Analyst is available year around for virtual technical assistance to support your mapping projects. For help with your geospatial needs, reach out to Emily Hagler at ehagler@nafws.org.
Research and Publications Committee Updates
The Research & Publications Committee supports Tribal fish and wildlife professionals in sharing research that reflects Tribal priorities and values, with a focus on best practices, Tribal data sovereignty, and knowledge exchange.
Submissions are now being accepted for Issue 2 of From the Field – Elevating Indigenous Voices. We invite Tribal natural resource professionals, researchers, and partners to share original research, case studies, management experiences, lessons learned, and other work that highlights Tribal perspectives in fish, wildlife, and natural resource management. The submission deadline is August 1, 2026.
For more information or to get involved, please reach out to Hannah Golden at hgolden@nafws.org.
National Environmental Policy Act Training (NEPA)
The NEPA training provides Tribal field staff with the knowledge and skills to successfully complete National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning and processes. Participants learn about NEPA compliance levels, Tribal consultation, DOI policies, and key legal considerations that support environmental protection and Tribal sovereignty. One in-person training was hosted by the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin in Green Bay on May 19th, 20th , and 21st.
Upcoming NEPA Trainings: Join us this September for a virtual NEPA course or attend the in-person training this October in Santa Ynez, California, hosted by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians. Travel assistance is available for the in-person course.
For details, registration, or travel assistance, contact Sean Cross at scross@nafws.org
Alaska European Green Crab Workshop
On April 20–23, 2026, NAFWS partnered with Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research (SEATOR) and Metlakatla Indian Community to deliver the Alaska European Green Crab Workshop in Ketchikan, Alaska. The purpose of the workshop was to provide Tribes and Tribal communities with training and expertise related to European green crab detection, monitoring, and management as the species continues to expand northward along the Pacific Coast. The workshop emphasized peer-to-peer learning and combined classroom instruction with hands-on field activities, including trapping demonstrations, data collection techniques, ocean monitoring, and discussions on funding opportunities and program development. Twenty-five participants attended, representing 15 federally recognized Tribes and two organizations supporting Alaska Tribes.
Arctic Beaver Workshop
On June 2–4, 2026, NAFWS partnered with the Arctic Beaver Observation Network (A-BON) to deliver an Arctic Beaver Workshop in Kotzebue, Alaska. The purpose of the workshop was to provide participants with an understanding of beaver ecology and management in Arctic environments, including the expanding distribution of beavers across northern landscapes, their ecological impacts, and monitoring and management approaches. The workshop combined classroom-based instruction with hands-on field demonstrations, including beaver trapping, skinning, and necropsy techniques. Seven Tribal staff attended, representing five Tribal organizations.
Summer Monsoons: A Double-Edged Sword for Southwest Wildfires
The summer monsoon season is a reminder that rainfall brings both opportunity and responsibility. While rain supports healthy ecosystems, it can also accelerate the growth of invasive weeds that threaten native habitats and increase wildfire danger. Being aware of what vegetation is present in your community is key to preparing defenses against invasive and undesired species. Through awareness, early detection, restoration efforts, and community action, we can work together to protect the Southwest's unique landscapes and preserve them for future generations.
Unlike native desert plants that grow with natural spacing between them, aggressive invaders like buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and stinknet (Oncosiphon pilulifer) create continuous, dense blankets of vegetation. When the dry heat returns, this extra plant matter turns into highly flammable fuel, allowing wildfire to spark more easily and spread rapidly through ecosystems that aren't adapted to fire. These blazes threaten iconic saguaros, destroy wildlife habitats, and put nearby communities at risk.
How You Can Help:
Spot & Report: Learn to identify buffelgrass and stinknet, and report sightings to Tribal agencies or through land management apps.
Clear Your Space: Remove invasive weeds on your property before they go to seed.
Brush it Off: Clean your shoes, gear, and pets after hiking to avoid accidentally spreading hitchhiking seeds.
Volunteer: Join a local weed-pulling or habitat restoration event in your community.
Staying aware of what vegetation is present is a vital part of keeping your community healthy, especially in those areas that are impacted by seasonal climatic changes like the Southwest. Following these few tips can help you reduce the introduction of plant species that could negatively disturbed native plants.
The NAFWS Invasive Species Team is available to discuss concerns, issues, and strategies that can help you target any invasive or undesired plant species, so please feel free to reach out:
Team Updates
Happy July! While summer is heating up, the NAFWS Grants Team is busy preparing for the 2026 Grant Seeker Retreat, hosted by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) in Polson, Montana, July 28–29.
This hands-on workshop will provide practical tools to strengthen Tribal grant-seeking efforts, along with opportunities to network with Tribal fish and wildlife professionals and visit CSKT's America's Ecosystem Restoration Initiative projects. A few registration spots and travel assistance are still available. Contact Andy Edwards at aedwards@nafws.org as soon as possible for travel assistance.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program is now open, with applications due August 14. NAFWS members can also access a recorded Tribal Wildlife Grants webinar through the Member Portal under Member Resources > Webinar Recordings. If you're preparing an application, we're here to help.
Additional funding opportunities currently available include:
National Park Service Tribal Heritage Grants
BIA Tribal Tourism Grants
USFWS Aquatic Invasive Species Interjurisdictional Grants
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program
Visit the NAFWS Funding Resources Dashboard to learn more.
As always, the Grants Team is available to help members brainstorm projects, identify funding opportunities, review proposals, and provide grant-related technical assistance and training.
BOOK A MEETING AT THIS LINK: https://outlook.office365.com/book/ATBCTechnicalAssistancewithNAFWS@nafws.org/
Upcoming Events
Job Opportunities
Visit our job board that is regularly updated with new internal and external positions.
Congratulations on reading all the way to the end! We are glad to have you as a NAFWS Member.
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