'Cold (weather).' Please refer to the link at the bottom of the blog for the correct pronunciation in S'Klallam.
Please join me in reading about what our Natural Resources department and our Human Resources department has been up to for the month of September! :-)
HAVE ANY EMPLOYEES RECIEVED A CERTIFICATION THIS MONTH? OR COMPLETED A TRAINING?
-Jason Haveman, Courtney Hart, and Emma Saas attended the annual Shellfish Growers conference.
-Hans Daubenberger, Khadijah Holmolka and Juliana Sullican attended the American Fisheries Society conference.
HAVE ANY GOALS BEEN MET THIS MONTH? WHO REACHED THEM?
-Chloe Donaldson started her position as the new Environmental Program Manager.
-Josh Carter finished and spent down his Brownfields CWA Grant.
-Michael Higgins completed his biological assessments and identified the wildlife corridor.
-The goals outlined in some of the grants that fund the Research Program have been succesfully met. This accomplishment reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire research team.
-Christina Charles and Roma Call completed Draft 1 of the 2025 Natural Resources Department budget and 2025-2029 Strategic Plan.
ARE ANY GRANTS BEING UTILIZED? WHAT FOR?
-The Environmental Program successfully completed an EPA audit of the PPG grant.
-Benjamin Harrison is utilizing the EPA GAP Grant, applied to efforts to prepare plans for water resource management and climate action. He is also using the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, which he manages. This supports the work of Cascadia Consulting Group to put together a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan detailing the Tribe’s carbon footprint and establish possible targets to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. He will soon be managing the Department of Ecology Tribal Consultation Grant, which will be used to expand the climate planning effort and support staff and restoration work on climate resilience in the last quarter of 2024 and into 2025.
-Richard Ogle closed out the BIA Invasive Species grant and is working on the Cat 9 and Youth Initiative Grants, which he manages.
-Josh Carter utilized his EPA Response Program 5680 and EPA Brownfields Assessment Program 5670 Grants.
-The Shellfish Program has been utilizing the BIA Invasive species grant and have started to purchase material for continued trapping and are meeting with WDFW to coordinate next spring trapping efforts.
-The Research and Monitoring Program is utilizing grants to support ongoing research on marine ecosystems within the Tribe’s Usual & Accustomed (U&A) areas. This work focuses on assessing ecosystem health and developing strategies to ensure its long-term sustainability.
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OR GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ANY INDIVIDUALS THIS MONTH?
-Garrett Sitting Dog, Richard Ogle, and Justyn Purser worked on a project for the ATNI Climate Camp at the end of August. They took the initiative to design their project around research and the restoration of the Hansville Block and began the work to take the matter to council. They adapted materials made by Benjamin Harrison for the climate camp and the Tribe’s climate resilience work.
-Shane Baze assisted Michael Higgins in understanding the spawner survey protocol, providing helpful training.
Congrats to Jason Haveman, he has almost completed 10 years of work at PGST!
A big shoutout to the entire Research Program team for their collective efforts in meeting project goals and pushing forward with our important marine research. Their teamwork and commitment have been instrumental to the program’s success.
ANY PROJECTS THAT YOU COMPLETED THIS MONTH?
-Michael Higgins successfully completed his biological assessments and identification of the proposed wildlife corridorfor Reservation lands.
-Cassandra Sullivan and Garrett Sittingdog worked to complete the second half of the youth wildlife program; five youth attended a track and sign evaluation. Each youth received a certificate for attending and some earned the track and sign level I.
HAVE ANY EMPLOYEES RECIEVED A CERTIFICATION THIS MONTH? OR COMPLETED A TRAINING?
-Malissa, Martha, and Lisa attended the National Native American Human Resources conference in Oklahoma to renew their Tribal Human Resources Professional certification as well as network with tribal HR representatives from across the nation. The Treasurer of the United States, Chief Marilynn "Lynn" Malerba of Mohegan Tribe was a speaker at the event as well as actor and spiritual leader, Mo Brings Plenty.
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OR GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ANY INDIVIDUALS THIS MONTH?
- Welcome again to our retuening HR employee, Kiana Charles (Jones).
-Audreena has added some recruiting forms and processes to better support departments. She recently took prospective Heronswood employees on a meet and greet with their team to learn more about the work accomplished at the garden.
-Jennifer was a great support to the departments creating new job descriptions for their department budget planning.
Don't forget to check back next month to read about October! Keep up the great work, PGST!
Please click here to hear the phrase in S'Klallam - it is #935 on the list.
