Number: 2004-10
WHEREAS, over 500 Native American tribes are recognized nationally and over 40 tribes occur in the Pacific Northwest region; and
WHEREAS, Native American tribes have far-reaching management and co-management authority and responsibilities for the resources of their region; and
WHEREAS, habitat destruction continues to be the principal factor leading to the decline of wildlife populations across the United States and indeed the world; and
WHEREAS, most of the decisions leading to loss of wildlife habitat are made by poorly informed decision makers without a thorough knowledge of the value of wildlife to society and the habitat requirements of wildlife; and
WHEREAS, Native American tribes find themselves at a crossroads where economic and environmental concerns intersect because of a chronic lack of economic opportunity combined with declining federal support for tribes is increasing the pressure on tribal governments to develop their natural and mineral resources; and
WHEREAS, a confrontation is looming between reservation development proposals and species conservation efforts; and
WHEREAS, sovereign tribal reservations provide important habitat for hundreds of native North American species that occupy both tribal and non-tribal lands, including over 525 species of plants and animals recognized by the federal government as requiring special protection; and
WHEREAS, sovereign tribal governments through their treaties with the U.S. government can frequently play a significant role in important habitat issues off tribal reservations; and
WHEREAS, habitat loss issues can be solved or lessened by educational programs that put youth and adults in direct contact with the natural world, thereby building appreciation for native wildlife and their habitat needs; and
WHEREAS, education, conservation, protection and creation of wildlife habitat on school grounds and communities will serve to instill an environmental stewardship ethic in students and school communities across the country, including Native American schools and communities; and
WHEREAS, conservation education programs at tribal schools can reconnect students with their native culture when programs are taught from an indigenous perspective with cultural relevancy; and
WHEREAS, the preservation of indigenous language and culture continues to be an important subject throughout tribal communities; and
WHEREAS, National Wildlife Federation currently is conducting a successful Schoolyard Habitats® program on the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute reservations in southwestern Colorado; and
WHEREAS, National Wildlife Federation continues to recognize the social and conservation benefits of wildlife habitats on school grounds to children and adults of all ethnic and economic backgrounds in both urban and rural areas,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled March 11-13, 2004, in St. Louis, Missouri, acknowledges that significant wildlife and land conservation benefits can ensue through the implementation of National Wildlife Federation’s Schoolyard Habitats® program for schools and communities on Native American reservations in the Pacific Northwest and nationwide; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports the development of Schoolyard Habitats® programs for these Native American schools and communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the U.S. Department of Education, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other appropriate federal agencies to support and encourage the development of Schoolyard Habitats® programs for Native American schools and communities.