Environmental Stewardship
Uplifting the Next Generation of Land Stewards and Water Protectors
Strengthening environmental science opportunities for students.
The Environmental Stewardship Program supports Tribal Colleges and Universities in protecting and restoring Indigenous homelands, including the land, waters, buffalo, and ecosystems vital to Tribal lifeways. This program advances environmental education, community-based research, and culturally grounded stewardship that honors Indigenous intergenerational knowledge transfer to future generations.
Environmental Stewardship TCU Programs and Partners
- Interested in becoming:
- a land steward?
- a water protector?
- a buffalo caretaker?
- a traditional food systems supporter?
Learn more about the environmental programs offered by TCUs!
Caring For Our Kin – Stories of Indigenous Environmental Stewardship
Across our land, seven Indigenous environmental leaders are centering kinship and relationship to build healthy ecological systems for our earth. All in different stages of their journey, they each share a curiosity for learning and a respect for our people, plants, and animal kin.
Tiyata Wan Unkagapi (We Are Making a Home) Environmental Stewardship Program
Active Program Dates: 2023 – 2026
The Tiyata Wan Unkagapi Environmental Stewardship Program supports TCUs to build capacity in environmental science and natural resource programs, land-based research, community engagement, and collaboration.
Obdaya Opta Tate Kin Kah’boke (Winds Blowing Across the Prairie)
Active Program Dates: 2020 – 2023
Through the integration of place-based and intergenerational knowledge into environmental and natural science programming, TCUs implemented projects addressing the specific needs of the Northern Great Plains (NGP) region.
Scholarly Emergence for Environmental Design and Stewardship (SEEDS)
Active Program Dates: 2017 – 2020
The Scholarly Emergence for Environmental Design and Stewardship (SEEDS) program will build program, faculty, and institutional capacity at tribal colleges and universities to strengthen and expand curriculum, faculty development, degree programs, and student success in the field of environmental sciences and related fields.
Building Sustainability Pathways
Active Program Dates: 2014 – 2017
In 2013, the College Fund conducted listening sessions with twelve tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) in the upper Midwest region (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). The purpose of the sessions was to determine areas of interest and need related to institutional, faculty, and student development in the environmental and sustainability fields at the TCUs.
Related Blogs
American Indian College Fund Sponsors Five Tribal College Environmental Science Programs
American Indian College Fund Sponsors Five Tribal College Environmental Science Programs Program to Develop Culturally Relevant Science Programming to Benefit Tribal Communities and Lands in Northern Great Plains States Denver, Colo.—August 5, 2021–The American Indian...
Thinking Sustainably at Tribal Colleges
For many, it’s a matter of economics. For others, policy. These are necessary components, of course, but thinking in such terms can easily gloss over some of the most important choices we make: the smaller ones we make day to day, often without much forethought
College Fund SEEDS Logo Symbolizes Stewardship and Growth
The growth and continuity of our home the Earth, as well as an eco-system, a seed, a student or a community, requires the support, communication and the action of many.
Caldwell: A Lifelong Capstone Course on Sustainability
Since graduating from high school my educational development has focused on forestry and natural resources, and my career in various technical and professional positions has been intertwined with my educational focus. I approach my education and career as complementary activities, because my jobs are opportunities to learn and learning is my job.
