The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is the lead state agency for the designation of a new National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) for the bay of Green Bay and will serve as the employer and administrator for the Bay of Green Bay NERR personnel and activities.
The NERR Tribal Engagement Convener will develop and support long-term relationships between First Nations Tribes and communities with connections to the Lake Michigan-Huron region and the Bay of Green Bay NERR. The Tribal Engagement Convener will ensure tribal community interests are represented in the Bay of Green Bay NERR planning, programs, and activities. They will contribute to collaborative programming within the larger Great Lakes NERR sub-region. The position will build connections between Bay of Green Bay NERR and UW-Green Bay’s First Nations Studies Program and other campus units and programs. This new position will evolve to address changing tribal priorities and the maturation of the Bay of Green Bay NERR.
The Tribal Engagement Convener will deliver, assist with planning, and lead the following initiatives, supporting the Education vertical of the NERR system, while also contributing programming and support to the other verticals (i.e., Research, Stewardship, and Training). The primary role of this position is to build relationships in support of the development and implementation of K-12 programming, with a priority focus on working with the Oneida Nation School System.
- Work with tribal schools to develop, promote, and integrate K-12 educational programming around estuarine waters for tribal learners.
- Develop, promote, and integrate educational programming for K-12 students around estuarine waters for learners at non-tribal schools that enhance understanding of tribal cultural perspectives as they pertain to estuarine waters. Expand and ensure access to programs, facilities, and educational services related to coastal and estuarine waters.
- Contribute to national conversations and initiatives in partnership with reserves across the coastal states.
- Develop and actualize integrated research, stewardship, and training programs among Great Lakes tribal partners, the Green Bay NERR staff and partners, and the Lake Superior NERR. Programs will target organizations, professionals, and individuals with an interest in Great Lakes estuaries, wetlands, and coastlines.
- Support extramural funding efforts focused on shared NERR and tribal interests around estuarine research, education, stewardship, and training.
The person in this position will be affiliated with the Center for First Nations Education and the Education program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The potential exists to develop a unique course or course component in UW-Green Bay’s teacher education program.
This position will strengthen partnerships among tribal nations in Wisconsin and Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay NERR, and help expand collaborative funding targeting estuarine water programming among tribal entities, the Bay of Green Bay NERR, WI education systems, non-governmental organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies.