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Tribal Relations

 

Highlights

 

Updates

  • Collaborative Capacity Program (CCP)
    Funds collaborative projects that improve wildfire resilience, recreation, restoration, rural economies, and Tribal co‑stewardship. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations, nonprofits, local governments, and colleges/universities, with fiscal sponsorship allowed.

  • 03/17/2026 - American Indigenous Tourism Association – NATIVE Act RFP (FY 2026)
    Supports cultural tourism, interpretation, and recreation initiatives tied to U.S. Forest Service lands. Eligible applicants include Tribal Nations, Tribal enterprises, and Indigenous nonprofits.

  • 02/18/2026 - Wood Innovations Program
    Provides up to $95M for projects that advance innovative wood products, wood construction, wood energy, and processing capacity. Eligible applicants include private businesses, nonprofits, Tribes, state and local governments, higher‑education institutions, and public utility, fire, conservation, and school districts.

  • 09/11/2025 - Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz signs letter of intent regarding Forest Service Tribal Relations (PDF, 878 KB)
    This letter outlines Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz’s direction to strengthen and expand partnerships with federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations, reaffirming the government to government relationship and emphasizing Tribal partnership as essential to meeting national goals for forest management, wildfire risk reduction, and shared stewardship.

 

 

  • Consultation Schedule

    A group of people wearing masks sit at a table under a picnic pavilion.

    The Forest Service consults with Tribal Nations on policies that may affect Tribes. Office of Tribal Relations maintains a schedule for national-level consultation.

  • Collaboration and Co-Stewardship

    Purple flowers are in focus in the foreground. The background is slightly blurry with a group of people in a circle with their backs to the camera.

    Forest Service strives to increase benefit for Tribes from Agency programs. The Agency also benefits from Tribal input, especially Indigenous knowledge.

  • Sacred Sites Protection

    Scenic landscape photo with green shrubs in the foreground and a mountain in the background.

    Federal land managing agencies hold in public trust a great diversity of landscapes and sites, including many culturally important sites held sacred by Tribal Nations.

     

  • Natural and Cultural Resources

    Close up of logs that are part of a traditional Santa Clara Pueblo home.

    Forest Service guide for reburials of human remains and cultural items, temporary closure and forest products for traditional and cultural use, and prohibition on information disclosure.

  • Research and Development

    A hand holds a small piece of monitoring equipment in front of pine seedlings.

    The Forest Service Research and Development Tribal Engagement Roadmap aims Tribal Nations to guide development of ethical and significant research partnerships with Tribal Nations.

     

  • Climate Change Adaptation

    A man wearing fire gear leans on his shovel in front of a low intensity fire.

    The Dibaginjigaadeg Anishinaabe Ezhitwaad: A Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu is an extensive collection of climate change adaptation actions for natural resource management.