Major White Paper on Tribal Co-Management of Federal Lands Released by Yale Center for Environmental Justice
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (September 26, 2025) — Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III, Director of Indigenous Programs at the Yale Center for Environmental Justice and the First Native American to serve as Director of the National Park Service, announced today the release of a landmark report on Tribal co-management of federal lands.
The report, Tribal Co-Management of Federal Lands: Opportunities and Challenges, distills key findings from the 2023 Tribal Co-Management Symposium in Washington, D.C. by the Yale Center for Environmental Justice. It calls for urgent reforms to federal land management practices and outlines pathways for stronger Tribal participation in the stewardship of public lands.
“All 2.26 billion acres of federal land in the United States was once—and remains—Indigenous land,” wrote Sams. “Co-management is not a new concept; it is the restoration of shared stewardship, guided by tradition, law, and a deep responsibility to the land, flora, and fauna.”
Key Findings
The report highlights that while federal consultation with Tribes is long-standing, it has too often been narrow in scope and limited in impact. Symposium participants emphasized the need for reforms that expand the role of Tribal Nations in shaping the stewardship of federal lands.
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Federal engagement requires strengthening. Meaningful reform must address when and how Tribes are invited into co-management, and ensure that sufficient resources and funding are available to support sustained Tribal participation.
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Barriers remain significant. These include lack of consistent funding and limited workforce development opportunities, which leave Tribes carrying a disproportionate share of the costs of engagement.
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Three established approaches. Tribal co-management can be pursued through “638” contracts under the Indian Self-Determination Act, cooperative agreements such as the Bears Ears model, and treaty rights affirmed by U.S. courts.
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Case studies demonstrate potential. Bears Ears National Monument, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and Grand Portage National Monument illustrate both the promise and complexity of successful partnerships.
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Policy action is needed. Recommendations include restructuring funding pathways, expanding Tribal workforce opportunities, and clarifying the legal framework to make co-management more consistent and effective.
A Call to Action
Co-management represents not only environmental stewardship but also restorative justice. The report highlights how integrating Tribal knowledge with Western science strengthens conservation, while also supporting Tribal sovereignty, economic development, and cultural continuity.
“This report is not just a record of dialogue—it is a call to action,” said Sams. “The future of co-management depends on sustaining meaningful partnerships, respecting Tribal sovereignty, and ensuring that sacred sites and cultural landscapes are protected, not diminished.”
About the Yale Center for Environmental Justice
The Yale Center for Environmental Justice (YCEJ) partners with frontline communities, organizations, and policymakers to advance environmental justice worldwide. Through research, education, and advocacy, YCEJ works to ensure that marginalized voices shape environmental policy and practice.
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