USGS TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT ON DROUGHT IN THE UPPER COLORADO BASIN

The current mega-drought gripping the Western United States and the Colorado River Basin has shown in stark relief the scientific challenges posed by environmental issues that cross traditional scientific disciplinary and jurisdictional boundaries. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the science agency for the Department of the Interior with technical experts in multiple disciplines located across the Nation. Engagement with tribal and Indigenous partners has allowed the USGS and tribes to collaborate build collective expertise across scientific and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and is useful for understanding challenges such as drought from a holistic perspective that IK provides. In addition to collaborating with Tribes, USGS programs such as the TEchnical training in Support of Native American Relations (TESNAR) provide resources for tribes to connect with USGS scientific experts to foster cooperation and receive tools and training that aid in tribal resource management such as water. Further engagement of USGS scientists with tribal nations has led to collaboration with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP). ITEP and the USGS are co-hosting a client day to connect summer interns at tribal environmental departments with USGS and other professional scientists. This presentation will highlight tribal engagement efforts and opportunities in Department of the Interior Region 7 (Upper Colorado Basin) that provide pathways to overcome the transdisciplinary challenges presented by wicked problems such as drought.