UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

The Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association’s Stoves to Homes Initiative’s Donation Program of Remaining Step 1 Wood Heaters and Parts for Tax Deduction is now open until this Friday, May 15, 2020. HPBA reached out to and received official word from EPA that a simple donation program could be set up with qualifying non-profit organizations. These approved non-profit organizations will manage the ownership and distribution of the stoves to identified homeowners who are supported by the organization.

Wildland Fire Community Engagement and Data Visualization Tools Webinar

Wednesday, May 20, 3-4pm ET. Register here.

This presentation will highlight two wildland fire smoke and health projects. Smoke Sense is a crowdsourcing, citizen science app which engages the public to broaden awareness of wildland fire smoke locally as well as health protective measures and behaviors. This presentation will share findings from the past two wildfire seasons including community engagement and data visualization tools. The Smoke Ready Communities project offers a model and framework to help communities improve their response. It supports collaboration and capacity building and also fosters preparedness and response to wildfire smoke episodes. This presentation will share a solutions-driven approach for helping reduce the public health burden of smoke intrusion at the community level. Participants will learn about how these projects can integrate a community capacity lens with resources specifically related to wildland fire smoke, air quality and health.

Public Hearings on the Proposed Rule: Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter

EPA has published this proposal in the Federal Register, and the NTAA is developing a full Policy Resource Kit. The proposal states that no changes to the NAAQS for particulate matter will be taken at this time. The deadline to comment is June 29, 2020, and two virtual public hearings will be held on May 20 and May 21.

EPA Tools & Resources Webinar: EPA Expands Research on COVID-19 in the Environment

Wednesday, May 27, 2020; 2-3pm ET

EPA scientists are building on a foundation of world-class research by applying their knowledge to reduce the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This research will help states & territories, tribes, and local governments, including public health agencies guide homeowners, business owners, and others reduce the risk of exposure. This webinar will highlight research EPA is working on with CDC, including the following:

Environmental Cleanup and Disinfection
Wastewater Virus Detection
Salivary Antibody Assay Development

Tribal Grants Education and Technical Assistance Webinar Series Second Wednesday of Every Month at 1pm ET

For more information, click here!

NTAA Upcoming Calls. The toll-free number is 1-800-309-2350. If you do not need to call toll free, or would like to help conserve NTAA funding, you can call 1-805-309-2350. Both numbers use code 928-523-0526#. Contact Andy.Bessler@nau.edu if you have any questions about any call! *Registration instructions* When you register for the GoToWebinar, please remember to include your Tribe, Region, or Organization in parenthesis after your last name. This allows you to see everyone on the call and prevents us from conducting a roll-call, ultimately saving everyone’s time.

STAR Planning Call: The NTAA Status of Tribal Air Report (STAR) helps tell the story of Tribal Air Programs, why additional funding for Tribes is critical to advance air quality, and is a great resource for Tribes.	Wednesday, May 20, 2 pm ET
Wood Smoke Work Group: Join this work group every other month to address wood smoke issues in Indian Country.	Thursday, May 21, 2pm ET
EPA Policy Call: Call in to hear updates from EPA on policies, actions, and tools relevant to Indian Country and Air Quality.	Thursday, May 28, 2pm ET
Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues.	Thursday, June 4, 2pm ET
Indoor Air Quality Work Group: Join this work group every other month to help support IAQ work throughout Indian Country.	Thursday, June 18, 2pm ET

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional’s (ITEP’s) Tribes and Climate Change Calendar includes conferences, trainings, webinars and other events related to tribes and climate change.

Click here for ITEP’s other trainings and events.

Click here for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. New courses have been added, so check it out!

ITEP’s FY20 AIAQTP Course Schedule

Course Title	Dates	Location	Course Level
	2020
Air Pollution Technology (Postponed!)	TBD	Flagstaff, AZ	2
Meteorological Monitoring (Postponed!)	Fall 2020	TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV	3
Air Pollution Modeling	Fall 2020	TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV	3
Air Quality Outreach	TBD	TBD	1
National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTFAQ) (Postponed!)	May 2021	Tulsa, OK	n/a

Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke	Anytime	Series of 6 recorded webinars	n/a
Indoor Air Quality – Independent Study	Anytime	Independent Study	1
Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Cold Climates	Open	Online	1
Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Warm Climates	In development	Online	1
Residential Building Science Review	Open	Online	1
Radon Fundamentals	Open	Online	1
Quality Assurance Fundamentals (QA 101)	Open	Online	1
Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) (QA 201-209)	Open	Online	2
Emissions Inventory Fundamentals	Open	Online	2
Emissions Inventory Advanced	Open	Online	3
Note: This schedule is subject to change. For up-to-date information, course descriptions, and applications please visit http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Training/training_air/

Climate Change / Energy

May 13, 20, and 27, Noon (ET) – Ask the Expert

Every Wednesday ENERGY STAR holds a Portfolio Manager “Ask the Expert” session. It’s a live webinar that gives all users an opportunity to ask their questions directly to EPA experts in an open forum. Want to talk to a “real” person? Have a question about how Portfolio Manager calculates your score? Want to learn more about entering Green Power? Join ENERGY STAR, and they’ll answer all your questions about ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager in this public forum.

May 13, 1 PM (ET) – Portfolio Manager 201

Continue to learn about EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Tool with a deeper dive into more advanced functionalities such as: editing property data; correcting and updating property use details; using the data quality checker; and sharing property data.

NEW! Part 2 of ITEP’s Three-Part Cultural Resiliency Webinar Series: Indigenous Framework Approach as a Tool for Cultural Resiliency

Thursday, May 14, 1-2:15pm PT

Click for more info and to register!

NEW! Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Working Group Webinar Series

The Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Working Group (IPCCWG) would like to invite you to join us for a 4-part webinar series that will discuss the future generations of American Indian and Alaskan Native geoscience professionals, educators, and workforce. An in-person IPCCWG meeting will take place at the National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference. To register for the May 14 webinar, please click HERE. We also greatly appreciate you sharing within your networks. The webinar schedule is as follows:

May 14 1pm PT/3pm CT/4pm ET – featured speakers include Dr. Daniel Wildcat – Haskell Indian Nations University, Paulette Blanchard – University of Kansas, and Shereena Baker – University of New Mexico
June 11 1pm PT/3pm CT/4pm ET
July 16 1pm PT/3pm CT/4pm ET
August 13 1pm PT/3pm CT/4pm ET

If you have any questions regarding registration or anything else, please do not hesitate to reach out to Althea Walker at awalker@aihec.org or 480-258-3963.

May 14, 2 PM (ET) – Using ENERGY STAR Recognition in Strategic Energy Management Programs

Helping facilities earn recognition for energy performance can be an effective way to demonstrate the value of Strategic Energy Management (SEM) and build support energy management broadly. ENERGY STAR offers several different recognition opportunities for industrial facilities through the Challenge for Industry and the Find the Treasure Campaign that SEM programs can leverage. Join to learn more about these and other SEM resources.

May 15, 2 PM (ET) – Decarbonizing Electricity: The Critical Role of Firm Low-Carbon Resources

Wind, solar, and batteries will be star players in a 100% carbon-free electricity sector. But reaching zero emissions cost-effectively requires completing the low-carbon team with one or more “firm” low-carbon resources. This webinar will summarize research on deep decarbonization of the electricity sector and the portfolio of solutions needed to reach this key goal at an affordable cost. At the conclusion of a presentation by Jesse Jenkins of Princeton University, there will be opportunity for audience questions.

Presenter: Jesse Jenkins, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and Andlinger Center for Energy & Environment, Princeton University

May 19, 1 PM (ET) – Portfolio Manager 301

With a good background on the basic functionality of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Tool, learn about some advanced features including: using spreadsheet upload templates to update property data; setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements for properties; creating custom reports; and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist.

May 20, 2 PM (ET) – Tracking GHG Emissions in Portfolio Manager

This webinar will provide a closer look at tracking and reporting your GHG emissions using the EPA’s Portfolio Manager tool.

Attend this webinar if you’re interested in:

Understanding the Portfolio Manager GHG emissions inventory
Learning how to track emissions benefits from green power use in Portfolio Manager
How to use Portfolio Manager’s reporting functionality to track GHG emissions for the properties in your portfolio

May 21, 2 PM (ET) – Renewable Energy Options for Small Businesses and Congregations

Electricity use is often the single largest source of an organization’s emissions and air pollution footprint, not to mention being a significant expense. Making the simple choice to use renewable energy can offer environmental, economic and community benefits. On this webinar, you will learn about the various options available in the market to buy green power through retail purchase, self-generation and direct purchase from a renewable project. You will learn about how to align your desired energy and environmental outcomes to specific green power supply options. You will learn about the role of renewable energy certificates and how they can support your organization meeting its renewable energy and carbon footprint reduction goals. Speaker: James Critchfield, Program Manager, EPA Green Power Partnership

May 27, 1 PM (ET) – Tribal Energy Project Technology Options

The energy landscape continues to evolve rapidly. In many areas, costs continue to drop as technology improvements and other market drivers create greater opportunity for distributed generation. This webinar will provide an overview of several common energy technology options. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy, the 2020 Tribal Energy Webinar Series will focus on how to accomplish specific tasks related to energy development on tribal lands. Presenters will provide instruction and sharing tools and resources.

May 28, 2 PM (ET) – Strategies for Setting Effective Energy Performance Goals

Are you aiming to set meaningful energy performance goals for your buildings? Join this webinar to hear from three ENERGY STAR partners how to use a technical approach to estimate the energy efficiency improvement potential of a building and set effective goals. Boston Properties will share how they used a scientific method for setting performance goals for targets to make them realistic and achievable. In addition, CommonWealth Partners will talk about how they provide guidance on tracking emissions through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to all their properties and established science-based emissions targets. Finally, Hudson Pacific Properties will discuss how they setting performance goals and updating targets for their buildings, and how to incorporate carbon reduction goals into a program.

Speakers:

Ben Myers, Director, Sustainability, Boston Properties
Jessica Loeper, Director of Sustainability, CommonWealth Partners
James Soutter, Vice President, Engineering, Hudson Pacific Properties

June 3, 2PM (ET) – Equity in Action: Heat Planning in Greater Phoenix

This 90 minute webcast will cover how The Nature Conservancy Arizona, Arizona State University, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and other partners developed the Heat Action Planning Guide for Neighborhoods of Greater Phoenix. This team worked directly with community members using a participatory process to identify challenges and create community driven solutions to mitigate and adapt to future heat. Specific cooling solutions include revitalizing vacant lots with trees and vegetation, and increasing shade along transit routes and at bus stops. The process was designed to develop awareness, agency, and social cohesion in underserved communities.

Speakers:

Victoria Ludwig, U.S. EPA Heat Island Reduction Program
Melissa Guardaro, Arizona State University
David Crummey, Retail, Arts, Innovation & Livability Mesa

Registration Is Now Open: National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference

August 31-September 3, 2020, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) is honored to host the United States’ first Biennial National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference (NTICC) along with support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Resilience Program. The NTICC is open to all US tribal nations and Indigenous Peoples from throughout the world, with an emphasis on including our Elders and

Youth. The NTICC will convene experts on climate change and will include a balance of Traditional Indigenous Knowledges and Western Science. We invite people to submit proposals before May 29, 2020, discussing climate-related impacts, assessments, tools, adaptation planning, mitigation and actions in one or more of the following tracks:

Indigenous Knowledges
Air, Health & Well-Being
Land
Water
Relocation
Infrastructure
Energy Systems
Food Sovereignty
Ecosystems and Biodiversity

South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center: Earth to Sky Workshop

Earth to Sky is a partnership between NASA, NPS, and USFWS that enables and encourages informal educators to access and use relevant NASA science, data, and educational and outreach products in their work. The partnership’s focus is on climate change science and communication. Join us for three days of training with native informal educators from across the South Central region who recognize the importance of teaching climate change. The workshop will take place July 15-17 in Sulphur, OK. Learn more here.

Save the Date: Southwest Tribal Climate Resilience Camp

Date: July 26-31, 2020

Location: Navajo Technical University – Crownpoint, NM

The Tribal Climate Resilience Camp will support teams of Tribal Leaders, climate change coordinators, planners, and program managers to build skills, gather information, and develop Tribal policies and plans needed for Tribal Nations to address climate change impacts. Information about travel, lodging, and registration will be available soon. You may contact Althea Walker, Tribal Climate Science Liaison, at AWalker@aihec.org or (480) 258-3963 with questions.

SEEKING TRIBAL DELEGATES

We are currently recruiting 10 Southwest Tribes to participate in the 2020 Camp. Each Tribe should identify three delegates per Tribe. The delegates must participate for the entire week curriculum. Delegates may include climate change staff, tribal policy leaders, Tribal Council, natural resource and environmental managers and staff, administrators, department staff from health, public works, education, housing, and other relevant departments that should engage in climate change planning. FOR APPLICATIONS Visit this link.

Save the Date: Shifting Seasons Summit 3, October 6-8, 2020, Keshena, WI

Contingency dates: March 2021

The Shifting Seasons Summit is a gathering that focuses on climate resilience planning and implementation within Tribes and across Tribal ceded territories in the Northeast Region. This summit will also include network-building opportunities and initiatives developed outside of the Northeast by capacity building organizations, academic institutions and Tribes. Visit www.NICRN.org for more details.

ITEP’s Climate Change Adaptation Training Courses registration is online! Learn more about the courses and register here.

Toxics/Mobile Sources

NEW! Managing Road Dust webinar series

Webinar #1: Introduction to Managing Road Dust, May 28, 2020 at 10am (AKDT)

Road dust from unpaved roads is a major air quality concern in many tribal communities. Dust (also called Particulate Matter (PM)) has negative impacts on health, road safety and quality of life. This webinar is the first of a series of four webinars to help tribal environmental and transportation staff to manage road dust, resulting in improved air quality. Presenters from US Environmental Protection Agency, University of Alaska, Alaska Department Environmental Conservation, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals will provide information to help tribal environmental and transportation staff create community partnerships to:

Assess current roads.
Develop community education messages leading to behavioral changes.
Develop plans to improve road design.
Consider appropriate use of dust suppressants
Continue with air quality assessments.
Create a dust management plan.
Identify potential funding sources.

Participants will also be introduced to a variety of online resources to help with planning for road dust management. Training Certificates will be available for everyone who completes all 4 webinars. Webinar recordings will be available to anyone registered for the webinars.

Webinar #1 – Introduction to Managing Road Dust
Webinar #2 – Introduction to Dust Suppressants (palliatives)
Webinar #3 – Engaging Community Leaders in Road Dust Management
Webinar #4 – Case Studies on Road Dust Management

Contact Mansel.Nelson@nau.edu with questions.

Tribal Consultation Period Extended for EPA’s Draft Plan for the Federal Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides within Indian Country

Extended through August 3, 2020

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) – Office of Pesticide Programs is provide notice to federally-recognized tribes that EPA’s Tribal Consultation on the Draft EPA Plan for the Federal Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides within Indian Country is extended through August 3, 2020 to accommodate a recent tribal request. The timeline for the consultation and consultation period will extend from February 10–August 3, 2020. During this period, a third consultation session will be conducted. To participate, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) invites you and/or your designee to join us during the following consultation session:

Session 3: Wednesday, July 15th from 12:00pm-2:00pm ET

Conference Line: 866-299-3188; Code: 202-566-0603

Adobe Connect: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/draftepaplan3

Postponed: Green Transportation Summit & Expo and the West Coast Collaborative Partners Meeting has been postponed until August 24-26, 2020

After careful consideration of the growing public health concerns associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Green Transportation Summit & Expo and the US EPA West Coast Collaborative is postponing our GTSE | WCCPM event until

August 24 – 26, 2020, at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, WA.

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) and the Green Transportation Summit & Expo (GTSE) have partnered to provide 25 complimentary full-conference passes to the Green Transportation Summit & Expo. The GTSE is the Pacific Northwest’s premier clean fleet and transportation event, focusing on fleets, fuels, technologies, policy & practice, with a regional focus and a national scope. We will provide you the opportunity to see, touch, drive, and learn about new transportation technologies firsthand, such as electric, hydrogen, natural gas and propane-powered heavy-duty vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, generators, and others. Workshops on DERA, VW funding, other federal funding opportunities, and alternative fuels will be presented. Please join us at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center for the 10^th annual GTSE to learn about clean transportation, how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pollutants, and costs in your fleet operations. To learn more about the conference, check out our website. To receive the code for the complimentary passes, please contact ITEP’s Dara Marks Marino at Dara.Marks-Marino@nau.edu.

NEW! Strategies to Reopen Tribal Casinos 100% Smokefree webinar

Friday, May 15, 2020, 11am-12pm MST

The National Native Network, the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, Black Hills Center for American Indian Health, and the Southwest Navajo Tobacco Education Prevention Project have partnered to present a webinar titled: Strategies to Reopen Tribal Casinos Smokefree There will not be any CEUs offered for this event. There will be an intriguing and informative lineup of speakers from multiple industries that will all be contributing to the conversation around the need for Tribal gaming to implement 100% smokefree environments.