This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) provides $199,574 to the Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation (HSU Foundation) to coordinate a series of planning events focused on interconnecting indigenous and western knowledge systems to advance the science and application of fire in ways that respect tribal sovereignty.
The project will bring together the Karuk Tribe, Cal Poly Humboldt, and other partners to identify high-priority fire-related research, monitoring, and educational needs, and develop proposals for future projects. Specific objectives include: 1) Developing protocols and policies for collaboration between academics and the Karuk Tribe; 2) Advancing tribal sovereignty and leadership in research and management; 3) Fostering cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaborations on wildfire challenges; and 4) Crafting innovative, interdisciplinary proposals aligned with NSF directives. The Karuk Tribe will play a key role, including through a Karuk Natural Resources Technician that will coordinate planning workshops and working group meetings.