Leech lake tribal college seeks to expand its indigenous science research program to inspire and support the next generation of native american foresters to protect and restore the culturally…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Leech Lake Tribal College, Inc. $215,822 under the Cooperative Forestry Research (McIntire-Stennis) program on October 1, 2025, to expand its Indigenous Science Research Program focused on forest and ecosystem management within Leech Lake Reservation and the Chippewa National Forest.

The college will conduct long-term forest monitoring projects, expand aquatic plant and invasive species surveys, and evaluate treatment methods combining invasive species removal with active wild rice planting. Activities include fire science initiatives in fire-dependent forest ecosystems and student internships placed with the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management and the USDA Forest Service. Two new research initiatives address microplastic contamination in forest soils, watersheds, and wildlife, and wildlife biology projects examining native pollinators and the impacts of prescribed fire on small mammals.

Project activities encompass student training in field research methods, data collection, analysis, science communication, and community outreach. Expected outcomes include improved ecological data for partner agencies, research informing tribal and federal land management decisions, strengthened wild rice beds affected by invasive species including Eurasian milfoil, student-led presentations at scientific meetings, and increased recruitment and retention of Native students in natural resource careers.

Performance occurs in Cass Lake, Minnesota. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. Leech Lake Tribal College is a 1994 Land Grant Institution and tribally owned college serving the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Leech lake tribal college seeks to expand its indigenous science research program to inspire and support the next generation of native american foresters to protect and restore the culturally significant ecosystems within leech lake reservation and the chippewa national forest. This award will strengthen research capacity, increase native student participation in natural resource careers, and address community-identified priorities related to forest health, invasive species removal, and manoomin (wild rice) management. Lltc will continue long-term forest monitoring projects, expand aquatic plant and invasive species surveys, evaluate treatment methods that combine invasive removal with active wild rice planting, fire science initiatives in a fire-dependent forest, and support student internships placed with the leech lake division of resource management and the USDA forest service. Our proposal includes two new research initiatives. We will explore the emerging issue of microplastic contamination in forest soils, watersheds, and wildlife, assessing its impact on forest regeneration, water quality, and wildlife habitat, and developing management strategies to mitigate these effects. Another new initiative will promote new projects in wildlife biology, such as examining the relationship between native pollinators and traditional and modern food crops and assessing the impacts of prescribed fire on small mammals. P roject activities will include student training in field research methods, data collection, analysis, science communication, and community outreach that shares results with local harvesters, elders, and land managers. Expected outcomes include improved ecological data for partner agencies, research that directly informs tribal and federal land management decisions, strengthening wild rice beds affected by eurasian milfoil and other invasive species, student-led presentations at scientific meetings, and increased recruitment and retention of native students in stem pathways. This program will continue to support the sovereignty of tribal resource managers, local communities that rely on traditional foods, federal and state agency partners, and native students who gain technical, cultural, and professional skills