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2024 ITCA Climate Resilience Essay Contest

Summary and Purpose

The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) Tribal Climate Resilience Program is pleased to announce an essay contest for students attending a university or college located in Arizona and are enrolled members of a federally recognized Tribe. The Tribal Climate Resilience program, funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), serves to build upon existing environmental work addressing extreme events and harmful environmental impacts in the areas of drought, water availability, soil health, air quality, wildfires, and outbreak of pests. The impacts of climate change affect the ecosystem, public health, the economy, livelihoods, biodiversity, cultural and sacred practices, and more. Preparedness and adaptation to these extreme and continuous environmental impacts are critical for the health and well-being of current and future generations.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following qualifications:

  • Enrolled member of a federally recognized Tribe in the United States.
  • Must be enrolled part-time or full-time in a college or university located in Arizona.
  • Demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their essay submission.
  • Exemplifies interest in environmental initiatives. Please note: Your major or focus of study does NOT need to be in an environmental-related area.

Award

$2,500 award per selected applicant, anticipation of multiple awardees.

Application Required Documents

  • Complete the application form.

    • 2024 ITCA Climate Resilience Essay Contest

  • Submit a brief bio (no more than 5 sentences) in the third person.
  • Submit a copy of your Tribal enrollment card/CIB.
  • Submit proof of university or college enrollment (copy of student ID card).
  • Submit a typed double-spaced essay in Microsoft Word or PDF format answering the questions in the Essay Prompt section (essay must be between 600-800 words).

Submission

An application with the required documents must be emailed by Friday, August 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM MST to Kelly Jendrisak at kelly.jendrisak@itcaonline.com.

Deadline

Applications must be completed and received by Friday, August 2, 2024, at 5:00 PM (MST).

Selected awardees will be notified no later than Friday, August 9, 2024.

Tribal Pesticide Inspector Training – September 10-13, 2024

Save the Date

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Please share and Save the Dates for the upcoming Tribal Pesticide Inspector Training provided by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona in collaboration with the Gila River Indian Community, Department of Environmental Quality, Arizona Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. EPA Region 9. The training will be held September 10-13, 2024 in Chandler, Arizona at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino. Information to be covered in this training includes Worker Protection, certification and training and other key pesticide topics, basic enforcement consideration, inspection techniques, and a mock inspection/field activity.

Further training information is forthcoming that will include a training agenda, registration process, travel information/arrangements and reimbursement eligibility. The target audience includes new and established pesticide program inspectors, managers, and staff who work under FIFRA/Pesticide Enforcement Programs. We will be accepting 35-40 tribal and state professionals to attend the three-day training focusing on FIFRA inspections and programs. Pesticide Programs that have a FIFRA Cooperative Agreement and Environmental/Pesticide Program in Region 9 will be prioritized.

If you have any questions, contact Africa Dorame-Avalos via email at Africa.Dorame-Avalos@itcaonline.com.