The dine native plants program (dnpp) is a seed banking and ecological restoration programunder the navajo department of fish and wildlife

Since the program began in 2017, we havefocused our efforts on developing a priority species list of important cultural and restoration plantspecies, while also collecting, storing, and growing important native seeds and plants fromacross the navajo nation. We are currently using native plants and erosion control techniques to restore riparian areasacross the navajo nation, with the goal of improving water retention and quality, reestablishingnative plant communities, and creating wildlife habitat. In addition to ecological restoration, thednpp is also heavily involved with outreach and communication and has conducted manyworkshops, volunteer days, presentations, and field tours aimed at educating tribal members, youth, and natural resource professionals about the importance of native plants. The purpose of this grant proposal is to continue to support the cultural plants coordinatorposition in assisting the dnpp with project restoration outreach, permissions, and expanding thecultural plants aspect of the program for another two years. In the years 2024 and 2025, which will cover the period of funding for the cultural plantscoordinator proposed under this grant, dnpp anticipates narrowing our focus from generalriparian restoration to springs restoration projects. This is timely because in the arid southwest, springs and wetlands are places of critical importance to dine people and wildlife. Springsthis funding will support the cultural plants coordinator s position to assist dnppwith all community outreach and permissions aspects of the springs projects. The cultural plantscoordinator will work with dine communities to: 1) honor and promote cultural connection tosprings by working with communities to select sites and maintain access for cultural traditionaluse, 2) ensure community feedback and project buy-in through chapter resolutions and publicplanning meetings, 3) use spring restoration projects as a vehicle for empowering and teachingtribal youth and community members about ecological restoration and watershed stewardship. The dnpp is uniquely positioned to be successful in this endeavor because we are a tribally-runprogram within the navajo nation division of natural resources, and our activities are supportedby the division. Ecological restoration is complicated, particularly in the arid southwest, and involves acomprehensive understanding of ecology, hydrology, geology, climate, and horticulture. In addition, many groups completing restoration do not fully consider the paramount importance of stakeholderengagement, which is critical to project success on the navajo nation. Since the program started, thednpp has been building staff capacity and skills in the aforementioned fields, and has establishedmeaningful community engagement as a main component of all of our projects. The cultural plantscoordinator position is critical for maintaining that engagement and for promoting the cultural uses ofplants aspect of the program.