This training will provide the foundational knowledge and resources needed for Tribes to develop their chemical emergency planning frameworks. This will include how to develop a Tribal Emergency Response Commission or a Tribal Emergency Planning Committee, as well as interactions between Tribes, States, regulated facilities, and locals.

• Find instructions on how to join the webinar on the Tribal Oil Spill Prevention and Chemical Emergency Preparedness Webinars page.

Released in November 2023, the Fifth National Climate Assessment is the U.S. government’s preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks and responses. This webinar will provide an introduction and overview of the assessment and demonstrate how to navigate the online report and resources.

• Learn more about the webinar
• Register

Join the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and its panelists for an overview of the major regulations and policies enacted under the Biden Administration. In addition to providing a roundup of the last four years, panelists will offer their thoughts on the environmental and energy space in light of the incoming administration.

• Register

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Climate Adaptation Planning: Guidance for Emergency Managers helps emergency managers incorporate climate adaptation into emergency management planning. The document walks state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners through the Six Step Planning Process, as identified in “Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101: Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans.” FEMA has also released a short video summarizing how emergency managers can incorporate climate into the Six Step Planning Process. Supporting documents are available on the Planning Guides page.

The National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTFAQ) fosters information-sharing and networking opportunities focused on building Tribal capacity in air quality management. The Forum is seeking abstracts for presentations (oral/poster), trainings, and other informational sessions that address Tribal air quality concerns. The event will be held May 19-22, 2025, in Southern California.  

• Submit an abstract.
• Questions? Contact NTFAQ@nau.edu. 

This has been shared before, but in case you missed it, EPA’s American Indian Environmental Office has teamed up with the Indian Health Service (IHS) to make on-demand training courses available to Tribal staff through the Solid Waste Association of North America.  When you register, you will get a username/password to access the trainings. 

• Find a course
• Register 

The National Adaptation Forum will explore the growing body of evidence supporting nature-based solutions  as a promising approach to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Speakers from EcoAdapt, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation will discuss various aspects of nature-based solutions and their ability to reduce hazard risks. 

• Register  

Developed by the EPA’s Watershed Academy, this module explores the Clean Water Act (CWA) as a guiding framework to highlight water equity challenges and watershed management opportunities. It explains the basics of environmental justice, provides a brief overview of 10 cornerstone CWA programs that drive surface-water quality protection, and outlines clear opportunities for the public to engage in the CWA process.

• Take the training

This annual conference will include discussion of innovations being used in partnerships, projects, coordination, community involvement, and funding to integrate salmon recovery with other interests while reflecting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. We believe many of you have great stories to tell in this arena. The Columbia River Basin Toxics Monitoring Subgroup is coordinating a proposal to provide the latest toxics research information to the salmon recovery community who often don’t hear about toxics.

The Institute for Tribal Professionals is accepting abstracts for presentations, trainings, and posters for the 2025 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality. Submit a proposal by Jan. 10, 2025.

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP), the Indian Health Service (IHS), and EPA are offering the “Development and Implementation of Tribal Solid Waste Codes and Ordinances” training course. The course includes online training, self-paced online assignments, and an in-person workshop to focus on developing and implementing effective Tribal solid waste codes. 

• January 27-30, 2025: Online Training Week
• February 19, 2025: Online Half-Day Training
• April 8-10, 2025: In-Person Workshop
  
  • Apply by Dec. 11.

With funding from EPA, the Indian Health Service (IHS) is offering a wide variety of trainings for Tribal solid waste professionals. The course provides up to 11 months of unlimited access to on-demand safety trainings for solid waste collections, transfer stations, and landfills. In addition to individual webinars and lesson collections, safety certification is available. Training topics include emergency response, equipment safety, first aid, machine maintenance, workplace hazards, and much more. Some in-person classes are also available.

• Register

This is the fifth of five virtual trainings to educate Tribal, small business, and industry professionals about the New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction air permitting program, with a focus on the air permitting requirements that apply to minor sources of air pollution in Indian Country.  

• Join on Teams. Meeting ID: 280 149 047 922. Passcode: gQXtAR
• Join by phone: 984-444-7480. Phone conference ID: 106 592 395#  

This is the fourth of five virtual trainings to educate Tribal, small business, and industry professionals about the New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction air permitting program, with a focus on the air permitting requirements that apply to minor sources of air pollution in Indian Country.  

• Join on Teams. Meeting ID: 236 102 381 883. Passcode: zKWoiB 
• Join by phone: 984-444-7480. Phone conference ID: 371 781 024# 

This is the third of five virtual trainings to educate Tribal, small business, and industry professionals about the New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction air permitting program, with a focus on the air permitting requirements that apply to minor sources of air pollution in Indian Country. 

• Join on Teams at 10:00 Pacific. Meeting ID: 235 832 481 062. Passcode: XYnjsG
• Join by phone: 984-444-7480. Phone conference ID: 420 889 65#  

EPA is holding a series of virtual trainings to educate Tribal, small business, and industry professionals about the New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction air permitting program, with a focus on the air permitting requirements that apply to minor sources of air pollution in Indian Country. The NSR preconstruction permitting program establishes the air permitting requirements that facility owners and operators must follow before constructing a new facility or modifying an existing facility.

On July 1, 2011, EPA finalized the rule, “Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country,” to fully implement the air permitting requirements. The following one-hour virtual trainings will be recorded and presented in five modules. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of each module. Note that questions will not be recorded. 

If you have any questions about the trainings, please contact Ben Garwood at garwood.ben@epa.gov (919-541-1358) or Jessica Montanez at montanez.jessica@epa.gov (919-541-3407). 
 

**NOTE: If you are opening the online meeting link on a smart phone, you will be prompted to download the Teams app for Android and Apple phones. You will need to create an account and login, which we recommend you do a couple of days before the meeting.

The Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE) will be held at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, Alaska, and online in AFE’s Attendee Hub. The Alaska Forum seeks presentations, posters and films on topics that address technical, scientific or general information on environmental issues.

• Submit presentations by November 1.
• Register for AFE.

The Mark O Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University offers a Certificate in Tribal Relations for local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and trade associations that work regularly with Tribal nations and native communities. The program seeks to foster understanding of Tribal perspectives, increase staff effectiveness and accountability when working in Indian Country, and improve working relationships between participants and the Tribal communities with whom they work. The course will be offered both in person and online.

• Register by November 6.