Tribal Conservation Districts
Angela Peter, ATCA Executive Director
Kristine Harper, USDA-NRCS Native
Liaison
A tribal conservation district (TCD) provides an entity for US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the tribe to work together. USDA needs the tribal districts local leadership to help guide them in bringing the needed programs to the community
Tribes have been practicing conservation for thousands of
years
The Tribe and village corporation pass a resolution establishing and providing authority to the Tribal Conservation District.
Empower the Tribe to decide its own natural resource future, not have it decided for you…..
How do we get started?
Signing the Memorandum of Understanding
MOU unites the interests of the Tribe(s), ANCSA Corporation(s), the Conservation District and the Secretary of Agriculture
By-Laws: ** Purpose** Meeting Policy** Officer ** Duties** Membership** Financial Procedures
Elect Officers
Those that have a vested interest In district’s natural resources and can volunteer
A tribal district focuses on bringing USDA programs to its district. A TCD will help the tribe gain information and education on USDA Programs
WHIP EQIPTechnical Assistance
Conservation Innovation
Broadband
Disaster Assistance
Rural Development
Grants & Loans
• Providing nutrition assistance and education. • Rural Housing, business development and community infrastructure. • Managing natural resources and the environment. • Helping to ensure food safety from the farm to the dinner table. • Helping farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance. • Supporting and regulating the marketing system for animal and plant products. • Conducting research and education activities to support these and other programs.
Identify Common Objectives with Tribe and USDA
TCD BOARD PLANNING MEETING
Visioning Determine Planning ToolCreate/Categorize PrioritiesEstablish Goals/ObjectivesLIST ALL STAKEHOLDERS
Public MeetingDiscuss importance of natural resources
Take a survey to identify Natural Resource Concerns
Share the TCD Board priorities
Finalize Priorities
Functioning EntityEINDUNSSAM501C3Bank Account
Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) an identifying number that the Government to identify the business.
http://www.ein-gov.us/
DUNSThe Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a unique nine-digit identification number the federal government has adopted track how federal grant money is allocated. DUNS numbers identify your organization.
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do
System for Award ManagementWHAT IS SAM?
The System for Award Management (SAM) is the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the 8 procurement systems. This will create an faster and more efficient government system.
https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/
501 C (3)An organization with a 501c3 has a tax exemption status from the IRS. Most often times these are charitable organizations that are also filed at the state level as a non-profit corporation (but it is not required or always approved). Funding that Corporation donates to TCD may be tax deductible.
http://www.irs.gov/charities
Bank AccountObtain forms from NRCS for depositDetermine BankSignersChecks
Angela Peter, Executive DirectorAlaska Tribal Conservation Alliance1577 C Street, Suite 304Anchorage, AK [email protected]
Christy Cincotta, Executive DirectorTyonek Tribal Conservation District1689 C Street, Suite 219Anchorage, AK 99501646-3109
Kristine Harper, Alaska Native LiaisonNatural Resources Conservation ServiceAlaska State Office 800 W. Evergreen Avenue, Suite 100 Palmer, AK 99645Phone: 761-7737Email: [email protected]