Fostering collaboration: NOAA's commitment to Tribal engagement and partnership

In this second event in the CIRES "Leadership in Tribal Engagement", James Rattling Leaf (CIRES Tribal advisor) is hosting Zach Penney (NOAA senior advisor on Tribal engagement), to explore the essential role that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays in building and sustaining meaningful relationships with tribal nations. This session will cover NOAA's strategies and initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and co-management of natural resources. Attendees will gain insight into NOAA's ongoing efforts to support tribal sovereignty, integrate traditional ecological knowledge, and enhance resilience to climate change. Through case studies and interactive discussions, we will highlight successful partnerships and outline pathways for future engagement, ensuring that tribal voices are heard and valued in environmental stewardship and decision-making processes.

To prepare, you can review the recording of the first CIRES "Leadership in Tribal Engagement" with Gwen Bridges.

Zachary (Zach) Penney is a NOAA senior advisor, with a focus on fisheries and tribal engagement. Before joining the NOAA team, Penney was serving as the fishery science department manager at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission in Portland, Oregon. Penney is Nimiipuu, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, and has devoted his professional career to conserving native fish, protecting tribal/indigenous fisheries, and ensuring tribal treaty and trust responsibilities are upheld. In 2021, Penney was a recipient of the Emmeline Moore Prize from the American Fisheries Society for his efforts towards promoting demographic diversity and inclusion within the society. Prior to Penney's role at Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, he served as a legislative fellow for Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2).  Zach holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho, an M.S. in Earth and Ocean Sciences from the University of Victoria, and a B.S. in Fisheries from Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska.