Title: bristol BAY guardians recipient: the nature conservancy ? Igiugig village project type: regional collaborative building and strategy development (track one) funding amount: $1,999,470…

This $1,999,470 Cooperative Agreement award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) program aims to expand community-based monitoring efforts and create a regional "Guardians" network in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. The project will be implemented by The Nature Conservancy and focus on activities such as training opportunities, incorporating Indigenous and local knowledge into natural resource management practices, and building relationships among tribes and government stakeholders. The goal is to support conservation and climate resilience efforts in this vital salmon-producing region, which is facing impacts from climate change. The project will run from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2029.

Title: bristol BAY guardians recipient: the nature conservancy ? Igiugig village project type: regional collaborative building and strategy development (track one) funding amount: $1,999,470 congressional district: alaska at large summary: the yupik, denaina, and sugpiaq peoples of southwest alaska have lived within the bristol BAY region for millennia, sustained in large part by sayak?the sockeye salmon. While this region continues to support more wild salmon populations than anywhere else on earth, impacts from climate change are readily apparent. This project will expand current community-based monitoring efforts in the tribal community of igiugig and share lessons learned and approaches taken with nearby tribal communities. The goal is to create a regional ?guardians'' network based on canada?s successful indigenous guardians programs. The focus is on community investments, training opportunities for residents, and uplifting indigenous and local knowledge in regards to land relationship planning (i.e., natural resource management) practices. The initiative uses the strengths of indigenous knowledge to guide western scientific methodologies and further relationships among tribes and all levels of government and community.