Bridging Cultures for Management and Conservation of Natural Resources

Abstract:

In higher education, there is often a disconnect between how STEM is presented and the cultural values of the students, resulting in decreased engagement including in the geosciences. The holistic approaches of Indigenous peoples to the study and management of complex environmental systems is often absent from these teachings as are available career opportunities linking culture and STEM. The need for Indigenous individuals in the environmental sciences has driven the formation of the Environmental Stewardship of Indigenous Lands (ESIL) certificate at the University of Colorado Denver. Established in Fall 2018, ESIL aims to educate undergraduate and graduate students on the knowledge and skills required to be effective liaisons between tribal and non-tribal organizations working on environmental and natural resources management issues. The certificate creation and operation follow Indigenous approaches to collaboration and decision-making, as well as principles of collective impact. The program is organized as a partnership between the university, three tribes, and four government agencies whose representatives are Indigenous professionals engaged in environmental stewardship. Emphasis is made on incorporating students into professional experiences through internships with tribal or government organizations working on environmental stewardship of Indigenous lands. This presentation describes the lessons learned through the successes and challenges of almost three years of work on the development and operation of the ESIL certificate.