Native nations lead efforts to protect land, air and water

Long before the 1970 Earth Day, Native nations were protecting and managing natural resources. From the Northern Cheyenne Tribe’s air quality monitoring in the 1970s to the Nez Perce Tribe’s salmon restoration efforts today, Native-led environmental stewardship continues despite shifting federal priorities. Tribal nations have used science, Indigenous knowledge and legal authority to safeguard ecosystems, often setting higher environmental standards than federal regulations. Their work underscores the power of sovereignty in addressing environmental challenges.