Building tribal nations capacity to engage in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service has awarded a $6,561,972 Cooperative Agreement to the First Nations Development Institute (CFDA 10.731 Inflation Reduction Act Landscape Scale Restoration program) to build tribal nations' capacity to engage in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience. The award period is from January 14, 2025 to December 31, 2029.

Through this Cooperative Agreement, the First Nations Development Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will deliver comprehensive services to Native American farmers, ranchers, and tribal nations, including technical assistance, training, advocacy, and policy efforts to support indigenous economic development, food sovereignty, and sustainable agricultural practices. This funding will strengthen tribal nations' ability to participate in environmental markets such as carbon offset and ecosystem services programs, with a focus on increasing climate change adaptation, supporting forest health, and facilitating market access for underserved and historically marginalized landowners.