Video, audio, maps, infographics illustrate
challenges and opportunities
PORTLAND, Ore., May 23, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Breaking Point: The State of Tribal Forestry
Today takes a multimedia approach to bring to life the challenges
and opportunities facing tribal forest management outlined in The
Indian Forest Management Assessment Team (IFMAT) Report. Breaking
Point, an ArcGIS StoryMap, offers a compelling look at tribal
forests, funding, forest health and planning, co-‑management,
workforce development, and policy and self-governance.
"The IFMAT report clearly shows the continuing failure of
the United States to meet its
stewardship responsibilities for tribal forests. Our new StoryMap
presents this critical report in an engaging way to move public
opinion and influence policymakers," said Cody Desautel, President of the Intertribal
Timber Council.
Breaking Point shows how tribes have been doing more with far
less for too long. The current funding landscape has led to myriad
challenges for tribal forest management, including a $96-million funding gap in federal support for
tribal forest management and other federal forest and land
management agencies. Since 2001, the gap has increased due to a
combination of rising federal investments in the U.S. Forest Service and reduced or stagnant tribal
funding.
Along with these and other challenges, Breaking Point also
showcases opportunities for partnerships to improve forest
management on tribal and non-tribal lands in ways that will benefit
all Americans. Indian forests offer good stewardship models,
through practices like cultural burning, that could also be applied
to managing federal lands. The StoryMap shows how people are
strengthening tribal capacity for participation and building
cultural awareness among federal agency personnel to make these
partnerships successful.
"The story map has the potential to take our outreach efforts to
a whole new level. It's a fascinating look at tribal forestry and
the leading role it can play in sustainable forest management.
Anyone who cares about forests will be captivated by the facts and
how they are presented," Desautel said.
About the Intertribal Timber
Council (ITC)
Established in 1976, the ITC is a nationwide nonprofit
consortium of Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and
individuals dedicated to improving the management of natural
resources of importance to Native American communities. The ITC
facilitated the IFMAT report.
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multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/breaking-point-storymap-shows-threats-to-tribal-forests-and-need-for-immediate-action-302152814.html
SOURCE Intertribal Timber Council (ITC)