This calendar is also linked under the “Tribal Air and Climate Resources” webpage under the “Policy and Planning” heading available at https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air.

The purpose of the calendar is to ensure that our Tribal partners are kept apprised of EPA activities that are relevant to them. If you have any questions about the calendars or any recommendations on how EPA can improve upon the calendars please do not hesitate to reach out to Toni Colon (colon.toni@epa.gov) and/or Tanya Abrahamian (abrahamian.tanya@epa.gov) with any feedback.

NEW! A Sense of Place: Indigenous Perspectives on Earth, Water and Sky featuring Larry Campbell, Swinomish Elder

Registration is open for our next webinar! Register now for our 9th webinar “A Sense of Place: Indigenous Perspectives of Earth, Water and Sky,” featuring Larry Campbell, Swinomish Elder, Thursday January 20, 2022 at 11:00 AM, Pacific Time. Space is limited so please register now.

NEW! Biden order requires net-zero federal government emissions by 2050

There will be many opportunities to heat the more rural, northern federal buildings with wood, pellets and wood chips! The US Forest Service itself has many such buildings and understands the technology and benefits.

NEW! Register for Virtual Workshop of Wood Heaters Here

The 5^th Wood Heater Design Challenge begins with 3 online workshops, and registration is open for the first one, on Advances in Wood Heater Design. The workshop is free and open to the public and designed for experts in the field, or those who want to build more technical knowledge about stove combustion. The first workshop is held for 3 hours on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12 and consists of brief presentations, followed by participatory break-out sessions and networking sessions. Registration numbers have exceeded expectations of the organizers!

Addressing Air Quality in Tribal Communities (for Beginners)

January 25-27, 2022 | 9am-2pm PDT; 10am-3pm MDT; 12pm-5pm EDT

(2-hour session, 1-hour break, 2-hour session, Daily)

Apply Now: https://forms.gle/1S3amRpocRphTMuX7

Course capped at 12 participants

Topics:

Identifying air quality sources and concerns in a community
Tribal Air Program Case Studies
Resources for tribal air quality professionals

The application is due on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the workshop via email by Tuesday, January 18. Those accepted to participate in the workshop will receive the Zoom link and password to join the workshop. The link and password are unique and should not be shared with others.

EPA releases new report on Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the United States: A Focus on Six Impacts

EPA’s new report quantifies the degree to which four socially vulnerable populations— defined based on income, educational attainment, race and ethnicity, and age—may be more exposed to the highest impacts of climate change. The report quantifies six types of impacts: air quality and health, extreme temperature and health, extreme temperature and labor, coastal flooding and traffic, coastal flooding and property, and inland flooding and property. Access the report. To download the report’s findings related to the disproportionate risks of climate change to American Indian and Alaska Natives. To find more information about climate change: https://www.epa.gov/climate-change

NTAA Upcoming Calls

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.

Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday, January 6, 2pm ET
STAR Work Group: Join the Status of Tribal Air work group to provide input on the report. Attend by clicking here.	Wednesday, January 11, 3pm ET
Wood Smoke Work Group: Join this work group every other month to address wood smoke issues in Indian Country. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday, January 20, 2pm ET
EPA Policy Call: Call in to hear updates from EPA on policies, actions, and tools relevant to Indian Country and Air Quality. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday, January 27, 2pm ET
Indoor Air Quality Work Group: Join this work group every other month to help support IAQ work throughout Indian Country. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday, February 17, 2pm ET

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional (ITEP)

Click here for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. Sign up for a self-paced course hosted by ITEP’s Waste and Response and Tribal Air Quality programs. New courses have been added, so check it out!

ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program (AIAQTP) hosts the Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Cold Climates, Residential Building Science Review, Radon Fundamentals, Quality Assurance Fundamental, Writing a Quality Assurance Project Plan, Emissions Inventory Fundamentals, and Emissions Inventory Advanced.

AIAQTP Schedule and Registration

Recorded Webinars

Looking for more information check out the Tribal Air Quality Media Space Channel. Recent webinars include an Introduction to Air Quality Programs, Emissions Inventories, Remote Professional Assistance, and Woodstoves in Indian Country. Older classics include a series on Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke, Tribal Air Program and Grants, Data Management, and the Clean Air Act.

ITEP’s Tribes and Climate Change Calendar includes conferences, trainings, webinars, and other events related to tribes and climate change.

Climate Change / Energy

Applications open for the Arctic Rivers Summit, March 2022

Scheduled to take place at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, Alaska, March 29-31, 2022. The Summit is part of the Arctic Rivers Project funded by the National Science Foundation’s Navigating the New Arctic Program. The Summit will be an in-person workshop to discuss the current and potential future states of Alaskan and Yukon rivers and fish and how we can adapt. It will bring together up to 150 Tribal and First Nation leaders, community members, managers, and knowledge holders, academic, Indigenous, federal, state, and provincial researchers, non-governmental organizations, and others.

Applications are due by January 23, 2022. For more information, please visit the Arctic Rivers Summit website.

NEW! Save the Date: 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit

May 16 – 18, 2022 @ the Pala, CA | Register Here

In partnership with the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, the Pala Band of Mission Indians, and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the Climate Science Alliance is excited to co-host the 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit (SWTCCS).

ITEP’s Climate Change Adaptation Training Courses registration is online!

Learn more about the courses and register here.

Toxics/Mobile Sources

NRC invites comment on Draft Programmatic Agreement on protection of archaeological sites affected by proposed placement of mine waste repository on top of reclaimed Church Rock uranium mill tailings deposit: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is requesting comment on a draft Programmatic Agreement (PA) between the NRC, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Navajo Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Office (NNTHPO), New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office (NMSHPO), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and United Nuclear Corporation (UNC). The purpose of this draft PA is to resolve any adverse effects to historic properties identified during consultation for a proposed license amendment application for the UNC Mill Site.
Submit comments by January 21, 2022.
> Federal Register (TBA)
> Download: Draft Programmatic Agreement , Nov. 30, 2021 (PDF)
> Access Docket ID NRC-2019-0026

Indoor Air Quality

Choose the Right Portable Air Cleaner for the Home

Whether you are in the market for a portable air cleaner for your home or you were thinking about gifting one this holiday season, EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home can help you make a well-informed decision.

Tips for selecting and using a portable air cleaner:

Never buy or use an air cleaner that generates ozone, a lung irritant.
Choose an air cleaner with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) that is large enough for the size of the room. The higher the CADR the more particles an air cleaner can capture and remove from the air and the larger the room it can be used in.
Running your air cleaner at a higher speed and for a longer time will help improve the air cleaner’s effectiveness.
Place your air cleaner in the rooms where you spend more of your time such as your living room or bedroom.
Replace filters regularly and follow all air cleaner manufacturing maintenance instructions.

Read EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home for more details and tips.

Improving Environmental Health in Schools White Paper

The authors of this white paper are environmental health academics who recognize the importance of in-school education. However, we also understand that infectious disease transmission in schools is an existential challenge affecting the health of local communities and ultimately, society at large. We have extensive experience implementing environmental improvements both before and during the current pandemic. We wish to persuade the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the lead Agency for protecting human health and the environment, that now is the time to revive and expand their School Integrated Pest Management (SIPM) initiative to improve environmental health in schools and document the tangible benefits that follow.

U.S. Department of Education Encourages Use of American Rescue Plan Funds to Improve Ventilation and IAQ in Schools

Indoor air quality is critical to reopening schools safely and keeping them open. The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance encouraging the use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to improve ventilation systems and make other indoor air quality improvements in schools to prevent the spread of COVID- 19 and tackle longstanding school ventilation improvement needs. The new Department of Education guidance highlights EPA resources to support investments in improved ventilation and indoor air quality. Use the following resources from EPA to supplement the information in the guidance:

Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Visit this page for the latest guidance on best indoor air practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Ventilation and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Ventilation is an important approach to lowering concentrations of indoor air pollutants, including viruses. Increase the ventilation in your school with outdoor air when possible.
Air Cleaners, HVAC filters, and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Air cleaners and HVAC filters can help to reduce viruses and pollutants in the air. Consider upgrading the HVAC filters in your system and using safe, effective portable air cleaners to supplement HVAC filtration. Note: Do

not use air cleaners that intentionally generate ozone in occupied spaces.

Implementing a Layered Approach to Address COVID-19 in Public Indoor Spaces: A layered risk reduction approach is best to limit airborne transmission of COVID-19 – learn how to combine increased ventilation and filtration with other CDC recommendations, such as wearing masks and social distancing.

Be sure to subscribe to CodeTalk, HUD’s Office of Native American Programs newsletter, for webinars and opportunities!

CALLS/WEBINARS/EVENTS|

RESOURCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: Week of January 3 – 7, 2022

RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Now Hiring!

Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu Coordinator

Closing date: January 31, 2022

Classification: 3-year, full time (Renewable dependent on funding)

Location: Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI

Salary: Salary range: $39,707-$43,679 depending on qualifications.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit a completed GLIFWC application for employment (available at www.glifwc.org), letter of interest, resume, and three professional references to: Robert Croll, Climate Change Program Coordinator 715-682-6619 rcroll@glifwc.org

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is hiring a Sustainability Specialist and want to reach as wide an audience as possible. You can also get there through this link.

Northern Arizona University is excited to announce the School of Forestry full-time position #605923 for Assistant Professor of Indigenous Forestry is on the Human Resources website and use this link will access the position.

The School of Forestry at Northern Arizona University invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Indigenous Forestry. This is a 9-month, tenure-track appointment (40% teaching and student-related activities, 50% scholarship and research, and 10% service). We seek an applicant with expertise in Indigenous forestry (Native American, First Nations, or other Indigenous communities), broadly defined, whose interests will support, build, and complement the School of Forestry’s and NAU’s programs in these and related areas. Past and future integration of DEIJ aspects and issues into your teaching and research activities, and any impact of that DEIJ inclusion on students, the institution, your discipline, and the larger community.

Academic, professional, industry, and/or community service that contributes to building respectful and inclusive organizational climates, advances institutional recruitment of marginalized people, and raises awareness of DEIJ issues.

The anticipated start date for this position is August 2022.

The School of Earth and Sustainability (SES) at Northern Arizona University invites applications for a full-time, benefit eligible, tenure-track position of Assistant Professor in Environmental policy (#605899 ). The successful candidate will prioritize SES’s efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion while engaging students, faculty, and external stakeholders on challenging issues critical to a just and sustainable society. This position builds on university strengths in Environmental Sustainability. Scholars are sought to develop new collaborations that will enable interdisciplinary science-based applied scholarship and teaching on local to global sustainability challenges. The successful candidate is required to maintain an active research program, provide quality teaching for SES, and contribute service to the School, the university, and profession. We encourage applications by candidates who will contribute to the cultural diversity of NAU and who value cultural, ethnic, and racial differences.

For full consideration, apply for position #605899 here by 21 January 2022. If you have any questions about the position, you can contact the search committee chair, Denielle Perry, directly at denielle.perry@nau.edu.

Public Lands Internship Program (PLIP)

The Public Lands Internship Program (PLIP), which is a partnership between Northern Arizona University and various land management agencies, such as the National Park Service (NPS). The Northern Arizona University (NAU) Public Lands Internship Program (PLIP) aims to place 10 or more interns and practicum students from the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS) as well as other partner colleges at NAU each year.

Current internship opportunities are available at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Flagstaff Area, Aztec Ruins, and Montezuma Castle National Monuments; and Grand Canyon National Park. Indigenous and Native American students are strongly encouraged to apply. Visit the PLIP website for more information and please share these internship opportunities with your networks.

You can always find a great listing of Indian Country jobs on NCAI’s website here.

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

Communication Channels for NASA Funding Opportunities

Please consider signing up for the following communication channels. These channels will ensure that you are informed of student engagement and other funding opportunities:

Register for an account with NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). You’ll need to create an account, if you don’t already have one. Once you have an account you’ll be able to sign up for notifications to be alerted when new funding opportunities are released. There are sometimes opportunities released specifically for Minority Serving Institutions (including TCUs and other indigenous serving higher education institutions) so it’s good to receive the notifications to stay on top of new opportunities.
Sign up for our MUREP Newsletter which goes out every 2 weeks on Fridays.
Check our MUREP website for announcements regarding MUREP specific funding opportunities.

Office of Research and Development recently conducted planning discussions regarding the WSMART program. One decision we are activating now is a testing partner loan option during periods of lower wildfire activity (winter through early spring), with loans for up to 3 months. The website FAQs were updated today to outline that option (refer to: “Can I request this equipment to try out before the next wildfire season?”): https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/wildfire-smoke-air-monitoring-response-technology-wsmart-pilot

To view and/or receive ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program newsletter, Native Voices, click here!

Climate Change/Energy

Join NCAI’s Climate Action email listserv here!

Sign up for the Alliance for Green Heat’s newsletter!

To view and/or receive ITEP’s Climate Change newsletter, click here!

Toxics/Mobile Sources

Federal Register Notices related to Transportation, Air Pollution, and Climate Change

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to modify certain compliance dates under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. First, EPA is proposing to extend the RFS compliance reporting deadline and the associated attest engagement reporting deadline for the 2019 compliance year for small refineries only. Second, EPA is proposing to extend the RFS compliance reporting deadline and the associated attest engagement reporting deadline for the 2020 and 2021 compliance years for all obligated parties. Finally, EPA is proposing to change the way in which future RFS compliance and attest engagement reporting deadlines are determined.

January 3, 2022 – Comment Period Ends. Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0783

2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP) Electric School Bus Rebates

EPA will fund $7 million for electric school bus rebates in underserved communities. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) appropriated funds to the EPA for “activities that identify and address disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in minority populations or low-income populations” under several programs, including the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA).

Rebate Application Form and Supporting Documents:

2021 ARP Electric School Bus Rebates Eligibility List (pdf)
2021 ARP Electric School Bus Rebates Program Guide
2021 ARP Electric School Bus Rebates Application
2021 ARP Electric School Bus Rebates Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Eligible Applicants:

Public school districts listed on the ARP Electric School Bus Rebates Eligibility List
Districts on the eligibility list are estimated to have 30% or more students living in poverty based on the US Census Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) School District Estimates for 2019.

States with zero school districts that make this cutoff will have one school district with the highest percent of students in poverty represented in the eligibility list.

Tribal schools
Private fleets that operate school buses under a contract with an eligible entity listed above

EPA Announces $10 Million Available for States, Tribes, and Territories to Address Environmental Challenges

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of Multipurpose Grant (MPG) funding to support states, Tribes, and territories in addressing high-priority environmental issues, including PFAS, environmental justice and climate change. For more information on eligibility, use of funding, process for award, and timelines, please reference the Multipurpose Grant guidance.

Recent additions to OTAQ’s website in August 2021

You can access these additions as well as new press releases and Federal Register notices related to OTAQ on our website.

Indoor Air Quality

Resource for Healthy Indoor Air Quality

Check out the website https://forhealth.org/ for many resources related to healthy homes and indoor air quality!

The Tribal Healthy Homes Network (THHN) has a webpage dedicated to Funding Opportunities! Additionally, THHN has developed a Funding Guide for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities.

Most Recent Listing: EPA Rules from the Federal Register can be found here.

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RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES|