Supports research to solve tribal environmental problems 





WASHINGTON - Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launches the pilot year of its Tribal EcoAmbassadors program, which funds research at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to address environmental and health issues affecting their communities. EPA’s EcoAmbassadors program helps professors, students and community leaders to bring environmental improvements to their schools or neighborhoods.

JoAnn Chase, EPA’s Director of the American Indian Environmental Office, met with the Tribal Environmental Managers Partners Workshop and representatives from TCUs to introduce the new initiative and open the application process. “Building stronger tribal partnerships and cleaning up our communities are two of our top priorities,” she said. “Launching Tribal EcoAmbassadors forms an effective partnership where the tribal community can direct EPA resources to the most pressing environmental problems they face, and to start developing solutions.”

Applications are being accepted through July 29 from TCU professors who wish to establish independent study courses with tribal students on issues such as climate adaptation, air quality, water quality, and waste management. Selected Tribal EcoAmbassadors will each receive a grant and will be responsible for recruiting qualified students, participating in training sessions led by EPA, producing a report that outlines research, results, and proposed solutions to the chosen topic, and presenting their research at a future meeting attended by both EPA and tribes.

Information on Tribal ecoAmbassadors or to apply: http://www.epa.gov/ecoambassadors/tribal/index.html

Information on EPA EcoAmbassador programs: http://www.epa.gov/ecoambassadors/index.html