A few weeks ago, at the Everglades Coalition Conference, we had the privilege of hosting a first-of-its-kind panel on Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) in Everglades restoration.
Moderated by Francesca DiJulio of Everglades Law Center, this discussion brought together Edward Ornstein (Deputy General Counsel of the Miccosukee Tribe), David Wegner (member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Independent Scientific Review of Everglades Restoration), Gina Paduano Ralph (Chief of Science Integration Branch for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville), and Troy Sanders (Miccosukee Embassy Fellow) to explore how ITEK can complement western scientific approaches and inform ecosystem restoration efforts.
Key takeaways from the discussion:
- ITEK can provide critical insight into environmental and hydrological conditions, drawn from centuries of Indigenous observation and stewardship.
- State and federal decision makers seem increasingly receptive to relying on ITEK and tribal input, but more work is needed to ensure meaningful integration of ITEK into project planning.
- Frequent and genuine collaboration with Indigenous communities and a respect for tribal sovereignty are essential to successfully incorporating ITEK into restoration processes.
If you were unable to attend the conference this year and would like to watch a recording of the panel, please check it out here.
Thank you to our panelists, attendees, and the Miccosukee Tribe for hosting this important conversation!