P R E S S  R E L E A S E

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              

Matt Baun (FWS) 530-841-3119

January 16, 2014                                                                              

 

Secretary Jewell Presents 2013 Partners in Conservation Award

to Klamath Basin Tribal Youth Program

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today presented the Department of the Interior’s 2013 Partners in Conservation Awards to 20 public-private partnerships, including theKlamath Tribal Leadership Development Program for Integrative Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

At the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., Secretary Jewell thanked the Klamath team and others who collaborated on important conservation projects and programs in 2013. For information all of the award recipients please visit: http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/secretary-jewell-presents-2013-partners-in-conservation-awards.cfm

“The Department of the Interior is proud to recognize the accomplishments of those who are innovating and collaborating in ways that address today’s complex conservation and stewardship challenges,” said Secretary Jewell. “These partnerships represent the gold standard for how Interior is doing business across the nation to power our future, strengthen tribal nations, conserve and enhance America’s great outdoors and engage the next generation.”

The Klamath tribal youth education program was launched last summer and connected scientists and college students to Klamath Basin restoration projects. The program brought together youth representing the Yurok Tribe, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Kaurk Tribe, Quartz Valley Indian Reservation and the Klamath Tribes with scientists from the NASA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Forest Service.

The Partners in Conservation Awards recognize outstanding examples of conservation legacies achieved when the Department of the Interior engages groups and individuals representing a wide range of backgrounds, ages and interests to work collaboratively to renew lands and resources.

Over the course of the 10-week program, the students and scientists worked on habitat restoration projects, developed models and collected data in the Sycan River in Oregon and Shasta Big Springs Creek in California – two important tributaries in the Klamath watershed that support tribal fisheries.

A unique focal point of the program is how it utilized both traditional ecological knowledge and cultural traditions with today’s leading technological approaches. The program is also helping tribal youth in the Klamath Basin by equipping them with essential job skills that will allow them to become future conservation leaders while also contributing to the current management of culturally and ecologically important fish species.

Additional partners of the Klamath tribal youth program are The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Humboldt State University (HSU), Southern Oregon University, and the Oregon Institute of Technology.

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The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/cno. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.

-FWS-

 

Arch Super accepting the award on behalf of the Karuk Tribe

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