Valerie Small

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Dr. Valerie Small (Apsáalooke) joined TWP in April of 2019 as the new National Director of Tribal Programs. As a ‘First Generation” student to graduate with a college degree in her family, Valerie completed her PhD in BioAgricultural Sciences & Pest Management-Weed Sciences Division from Colorado State University in 2013. Her interdisciplinary research was conducted on the homelands of the Crow Tribe of Indians (Crow Nation) (home of her maternal grandfather). Her research was focused on trees, water and the Crow People, and incorporated western science within a traditional knowledges framework. This research was also recently published in the recently released 4th National Climate Assessment as a case study in Chapter 22, Northern Great Plains. Val is dedicated to improving access and availability to harvest culturally significant plant species within Tribal lands for future generations to use as food sources (decolonizing the diet), and species utilized in the practice of sacred ceremonies. TWP and Val believe that Tribes should set their own conservation priorities and manage their own conservation projects. Thus, at TWP our National Program partners with Indigenous based non-profits and grassroots organizations so that Indigenous communities can create local and sustainable job opportunities to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events (flooding, drought, and wildfire) and monitor restoration and reforestation efforts due to a warming climate.

Plenary Panel