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In #Montana, a Tribally Led Effort to Restore the #WhitebarkPine

Not just a keystone species for the #ecosystem, the tree is also a cultural keystone. Can it come back from the brink?

By Sarah Mosquera
June 5, 2024

"Across the North American West, giant, ancient, gnarled whitebark pines grow along mountain ridges where practically no other tree can survive. Although these trees have been known to thrive for hundreds or even a thousand years, they have faced an accelerated decline for nearly a century. In fact, across much of the northwest, dead whitebark pines outnumber live ones. According to a 2018 study conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, the tree’s population has declined by up to 90 percent in certain areas, including on the lands of the Confederated #Salish and #Kootenai Tribes.

"The whitebark pines play a considerable role in the region: They are a keystone species in high-elevation ecosystems. Over 100 species rely on the tree for food, shelter, and the habitat it provides, including squirrels, grizzly bears, and birds like the well-known Clark’s Nutcracker. The trees also contribute to ecosystem stability by preventing soil erosion and regulating water flow.

"Maintaining the trees, then, is vital. And on the #FlatheadIndianReservation in western Montana, which contains some 110,000 acres of whitebark pine habitat, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, known as #CSKT, are fighting to protect and restore this iconic and ecologically important species, ensuring its survival for future generations.

"The epicenter of the decline in northern Montana, according to Diana Tomback, a professor of integrative biology at the University of Colorado, Denver, includes part of the Flathead Indian Reservation. 'That area has the highest blister rust infection rates and mortality of any other part of whitebark pine’s range.'

"#WhitePineBlisterRust, an invasive #fungus brought over from Europe in the early 20th century, is one of the main reasons for the whitebark pine’s steep decline. The rust causes cankers that disrupt the flow of water and nutrients within the tree, killing it. Another threat, infestations of mountain pine beetles, have been on the rise — a trend that is influenced by increasing temperatures. Mountain pine beetles used to be limited to lower elevations, but a warmer climate has allowed them to climb up to the whitebark pine’s habitat.

[...]

"The Tribes are working towards cultivating and planting 187,000 whitebark pine trees within the Flathead Indian Reservation. In November 2023, the CSKT received a nearly $3.5 million grant through the America the Beautiful Challenge for their work, which will help support various ecological initiatives, such as whitebark pine restoration and the development of a skilled conservation workforce."

#NativeAmericanTraditions #Ecology #SaveTheTrees

U.S., Canada Agree to IJC Intervention on Transboundary Mining Pollution

Calling it 'an important first step' to solve mining pollution on the Elk-Kootenai River watershed, tribal and First Nation governments in Montana, Idaho and British Columbia cheered the long-awaited reference to the International Joint Commission

By Tristan Scott
March 11, 2024

"Federal governments in #Canada and the U.S. have agreed to ask the #InternationalJointCommission (#IJC) to study and take steps to mitigate the inflow of mining pollution to the #ElkRiver-#KootenaiRiver watershed through a joint reference, signaling a breakthrough in bilateral talks that have stalled for years, even as the company that owns the mines expands its footprint along the border with #Montana.

"The agreement was announced Monday by tribal and #FirstNation governments in Montana, #Idaho and #BritishColumbia (B.C.) who cheered the development after years of intensifying pressure on the #US and Canada. The reference means that an independent governance body representing both nations will convene to craft solutions to address the contaminants spilling into a watershed that crosses the international boundary at #LakeKoocanusa and spans #traditional #Aboriginal territory.

"The federal governments of both U.S. and Canada also confirmed the reference on Monday and issued a joint statement from the Ambassador of Canada to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, and the Ambassador of the United States to Canada, David L. Cohen. According to Pierre Cuguen, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada (#GAC), both countries 'have reached an Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) on next steps to further bilateral cooperation to reduce and mitigate the impacts of #WaterPollution” in the #transboundary #watershed.

"'The AIP provides a plan for Canada and the United States, with the assistance of the International Joint Commission, to take a holistic look at the watershed and build a shared understanding of the best available water quality data and science,' Cuguen said in an email, adding that both countries will work in concert 'with #IndigenousPeoples and #TribalNations and alongside provincial and state partners in the region.'

"'The Government of Canada is committed to safeguarding the transboundary #ElkKootenay watershed to protect the people and species that depend on this vital river system' according to Cuguen (the Canadian and First Nation spelling of Kootenai is “#Kootenay”).

"Meanwhile, tribal leaders on both sides of the border were triumphant after urging a reference for more than a decade, often with vague support from their federal counterparts.

"In Montana, Michael Dolson, chairman of the Confederated #Salish and #Kootenai Tribes (#CSKT), said the IJC reference is an essential first step in protecting fish and water quality in#LakeKoocanusa and the Kootenai River.

"'For too long, the U.S. and Canada have stood by while our waters suffered,' Dolson said in a prepared statement released Monday. “We are encouraged by the'federal governments’ change in direction and the progress that was achieved when we all worked together these past months. We will continue to work tirelessly to restore our rivers and the fish and wildlife that depend upon them. We’re at the beginning of what will likely be a long process, one that will require sustained effort from all governments involved.'"

#WaterIsLife #CoalMining
#Canada #FirstNations #WaterPollution #OpenPitMining #Environment

The Second Circle Lodge - a group home for twelve youth - needs help after a fire last week. All are safe, and your donation will assist to prepare the temporary location for occupancy.

If you can help, please call Pat Matt at 406.214.0673 or email at patrick.matt@ckst.org to arrange for a delivery time or pick up. We appreciate you! And please share widely!

#CSKT #CSKTeam
#FlatheadReservation #FlatheadIndianReservation #PabloMT #RonanMT #PabloMontana #RonanMontana

#CSKT

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