This one-day conference hosted by the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) will convene regulated companies, governments, solution providers, and regulators for stormwater learning, networking, and business development. Breakout sessions will include four tracks: Track A for those desiring an introduction or refresher on elemental topics, Track B for those “going deep” on industrial applications and solutions, Track C for those adopting municipal stormwater best management practices, and Track D for those seeking the latest developments in emerging contaminants. The conference will be held in person in Tacoma, WA. 

• Register 

The Boat US Foundation is hosting this virtual summit to explore existing and emerging technologies and best practices for responsible and sustainable disposal of boating-related waste streams. Topics will include fiberglass, shrink-wrap, pyrotechnic flares, derelict fishing gear, contaminated plastics and debris caught in trash interceptors. 

• Register 

Learning from People and Place: Climate Adaptation and Restoration Action in Louisiana’s Working Coast is the theme of the next Rising Voices Center for Indigenous and Earth Sciences Workshop, which will be held in person in Thibodaux, LA. The workshop will focus on navigating place-based climate actions in Louisiana. The First Peoples’ Conservation Council of Louisiana and member Tribes are leading coastal restoration and climate adaptation actions focused on restoring marshland, protecting sacred sites, reducing land loss and flood risk, increasing Tribal resilience and a regenerative future, and land rematriation for all living relatives. Register by Jan. 31

The Native Youth Community Adaptation Leadership Congress (NYCALC) aims to develop future conservation leaders with the skills, knowledge, and tools to address environmental change and conservation challenges to better serve their schools and home communities. Native students from Federally Recognized Tribes from across the country join to discuss community adaptation and related environmental issues impacting Native peoples. Apply by Feb. 28

EPA’s Smoke Management conference will focus on innovative approaches to smoke management, the latest research, and collaborative solutions for wildfire and prescribed burn challenges. The location has tentatively been set for Boise, ID.

• Complete the pre-conference survey by Jan. 17.
• Register

The Residential Wood Smoke Workshop, organized by EPA and the Western States Air Resources Council (WESTAR), will be held in Denver, CO. The workshop will cover a wide range of topics:

• PM2.5 NAAQS, non-attainment, and residential wood combustion
• Regulatory & voluntary wood smoke (PM2.5, toxics) reduction strategies
• Outreach and engagement strategies
• Available funding for cleaner technologies, with an emphasis on heat pumps
• Wood smoke monitoring (outdoor and indoor) and wood heater testing
• Possible technology tour at a local heating appliance store

 EPA invites your suggestions on discussion topics, challenges, and opportunities you would like to explore during the workshop. If you have recommendations for topics or speakers or are interested in presenting, contact Danielle Johnson at Johnson.Danielle@epa.gov or 919-541-1385.

• Register

This course from the State of Oregon’s Department of Emergency Management covers foundational concepts in disaster recovery and the latest guidance on recovery planning. Participants will either assess their own recovery plan or a sample against this national planning guidance. The course will be held in person in Salem, OR.

• Learn more
• Register 

Every 2 years, EPA R10’s Tribal Air Team hosts a meeting with Tribes working on or engaged in air quality. This meeting offers an opportunity to gather in-person to share our work, learn about resources, and make connections with others dedicated to protecting air quality. While we encourage in-person attendance, a virtual option is available.

•  Register

This mid-level professional development course provides an overview of the basic science and technology concepts behind common air quality management and assessment activities. After completing this course, participants will be able to characterize sources of air pollutants of concern, describe air pollution control methods & regulations, identify tools and techniques for assessing air pollutant emissions, and discuss how Tribal sovereignty impacts implementation of the Clean Air Act, including Case Studies on managing air quality on Tribal lands. The course will be held in person in Phoenix, AZ. Pre-Requisite: Participants should have completed ITEP’s online or in person Introduction to Tribal Air Quality course.

• Apply by Jan. 15.

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.

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 

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 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#  

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.