Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians collaborative research and management of culturally important forest products

This webinar introduces a program on co-produced research and action to manage forests for culturally important plants within portions of traditional Cherokee homelands. 

http://www.forestrywebinars.net/webinars/state-tribal-fisheries-co-management/view

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the USDA Forest Service, and other collaborators are creating an integrated platform to improve access, sustainable harvesting and ecological conditions for culturally important plants. The effort seeks to plan and implement forest management policies and activities that support Cherokee arts, diets, and practices while at the same time promoting integrated forest stewardship over a larger landscape. Activities are centered in western North Carolina and portions of adjacent states, including the Qualla Boundary (EBCI tribal lands); the Pisgah, Nantahala, and Cherokee National Forests; and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We discuss efforts to date, bringing together traditional knowledge, western scientific research, community engagement and cross-boundary relationship building.

This is the fourth webinar in a 7-part series focused on tribal land management that encompasses a wide array of topics and includes speakers from across the nation. The goal of this webinar series is to inform forestry and natural resource professionals of the full scope of land management approaches used by Native Americans across the country. In addition, information from this series will provide the audience a better understanding of some of the complex history and policy challenges that also influence tribal land management.

 John Schelhas, Research Forester, US Forest Service, Southern Research Station

 Tommy Cabe, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

 Michelle Baumflek, Research Biologist, US Forest Service, Southern Research Station