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Shailyn Miller-Wiechman�Wildlife Connectivity Coordinator�Native American Fish & Wildlife Society

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What is NAFWS

About NAFWS

  • The Native American Fish & Wildlife Society (NAFWS) is a national tribal organization established informally during the early 1980s. NAFWS was incorporated in 1983 to develop a national communications network for the exchange of information and management techniques related to self-determined tribal fish and wildlife management.

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Our Mission

  • As a non-profit organization, the Society’s mission is to assist Native American and Alaska Native Tribes with conserving, protecting, and enhancing their fish and wildlife resources.

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NAFWS 2023 Initiatives

  • Wildlife Health
  • Climate Resiliency
  • Tribal Conservation Law Enforcement Program Enhancement
  • Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
  • Habitat Connectivity

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Tribal Wildlife Connectivity/Corridors

  • Assisting/working with 90 Tribes

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  • Tribal Wildlife Corridor Discussion/Working Group

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Successes

Southern Ute

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Successes (continued)

  • The Confederated Salish/Kootenai Tribe in Montana
  • In the early 2000’s, The Confederated Salish/Kootenai Tribe in Montana led and directed efforts to achieve wildlife and wetland mitigation for the reconstruction of the main highway route through the center of the Reservation laying the foundation for future wildlife corridor work in Indian Country. This resulted in 43 wildlife underpass crossing structures and one large overpass named “The Animal’s Bridge” on US Hwy 93 before corridors and connectivity were mainstream in the US.

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Challenges

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  • Communication
  • Capacity & Funding
  • No baseline funding
  • Technical assistance

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Opportunities

  • Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
  • Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act
  • Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program
  • American the Beautiful Challenge
  • Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund

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Thank you

Contact Info:

Shailyn Miller Wiechman

Wildlife Connectivity Coordinator

Native American Fish and Wildlife Society

406-781-6958

smiller@nafws.org