Summer Internship 2024

Air Quality Monitoring + Education Outreach + Promoting Healthy Air on the Nez Perce Reservation and surrounding areas.

Why should communities have air quality programs?

• Public health - wildfire smoke is not healthy, factory smoke is not healthy, agricultural smoke is not healthy, trash burning is hazardous

• Justify burn permit protocols

• Comply with local and Nation policies: the Clean Air Act, Federal Air Rules for Reservations

Why should communities with air quality programs engage in education outreach?

• Public health awareness - monitor the air quality and protect downwind communities

• Air quality index (AQI) to determine how healthy or hazardous the air is to breathe

• To mitigate and eliminate ashtma, chronic respiratory illnesses, and cardiovascular disorders

What is the Nez Perce Tribe doing to make the air healthy to breathe?

• Public health awareness

• Provide air cleaners and filters

• Burn permit application process and issuance

• Education outreach

• Collaboration with state, interstate, and federal agencies

• Collaborating with K-12 teachers and their students on the reservation and surrounding areas

• Maintaining relationships with community partners: local libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs