Wildlife Stewardship on Tribal Lands

Tribes have Jurisdiction over some of the healthiest wild areas in North America, collectively managing over 56 million acres of land. This is no accident: in addition to a deep reverence for the land and a strong history of environmental stewardship, Native peoples implement some of the best fish and wildlife preservation and management practices on the continent. Wildlife Stewardship on Tribal Lands is the first comprehensive resource dedicated to the voices and expertise of Native scholars and wildlife professionals. Nearly one hundred Indigenous wildlife conservationists and managers, as well as their collaborators, provide the book's lessons on how best to incorporate Native methods and work effectively with tribal stakeholders. The authors cover topics that include: guidelines for conducting research on tribal lands, traditional ecological knowledge-based management models, the cultural and ecological importance of key species, legal battles for treaty rights, management authority, and funding, first foods and food sovereignty, fisheries and migratory bird management, tribal perspectives on the Endangered Species Act, a history of modern fish and wildlife management on tribal lands Alongside research findings, methodologies, and case studies, oral histories and spiritual knowledge are shared through interviews with tribal leaders and the work of Native artists and writers. Wildlife Stewardship on Tribal Lands reveals tribal practices as pivotal guideposts for those seeking to protect and honor the land, harness our natural resources in ways that can help reverse grievous biodiversity losses, and ensure the health of our environmental for future generations.