Breakout Sessions

The SRMT utilized IAQ monitors from Awair to monitor community members homes for a year. What we learned about Akwesasne.  

Voluntary Programs

Presentation on the use of sensors to develop a baseline for the Choctaw Nation Reservation.  We deployed Purple air sensors at 18 community centers for a year long study to develop a baseline as well as using a mobile sensor to gather data along the roads in between sensor locations.

Technical 

The American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO) leads the U.S. EPA's efforts to protect human health and the environment of federally recognized Indian Tribes, with a special emphasis on helping Tribes administer their own environmental programs, including programs supported under the Clean Air Act. AIEO actively supports EPA direct implementation of environmental programs in Indian country, financial and technical assistance for Tribal capacity building, and government-to-government consultation. AIEO works closely with EPA headquarters and regional offices, other federal agencies, Tribal governments, EPA Tribal partnership groups, state governments, and others to accomplish its mission. This session will provide an overview of AIEO’s mission, function, and roles.

Other / Cross Media

Sit with us as we discuss Air Monitoring, Designation Process, and Permitting as Regulatory and Non-Regualtory Tribal Air Monitoring Programs.

Technical

The Status of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) is an ongoing series of reports written for diverse audiences including Tribal managers, leaders, and community members; federal and state agencies and decision makers; and non-governmental organizations. This presentation will highlight the methods used in the creation of STACC, Volume 2 which was released in early 2025 as well as share the critical information from the 79 authors from across the world that contributed to the report.

Other / Cross Media

The USHUD Public Housing Authority (PHA) radon policy goes into effect for Tribal Housing Authorities (THA's) January 2026.  The proposed session will cover the follow topics: 1) a brief review of the radon policy and its requirements, 2) a review of radon testing strategies available to THA's, 3) an introduction to the various classes of radon measurement devices and 3) an extremely brief review of radon mitigation of homes or buildings with elevated radon levels.  Radon measurement best practices, based on the ANSI/AARST radon measurement national consensus standards, will be used throughout the presentation.

Technical

The USHUD Public Housing Authority (PHA) radon policy goes into effect for Tribal Housing Authorities (THA's) January 2026.  The proposed session will cover the follow topics: 1) a brief review of the radon policy and its requirements, 2) a review of radon testing strategies available to THA's, 3) an introduction to the various classes of radon measurement devices and 3) an extremely brief review of radon mitigation of homes or buildings with elevated radon levels.  Radon measurement best practices, based on the ANSI/AARST radon measurement national consensus standards, will be used throughout the presentation.

Voluntary Programs

Tribal air quality programs face unique challenges in achieving accurate and reliable pollution monitoring across diverse environments. This presentation introduces Clarity Movement Co.’s V2 Global Calibration Model for PM2.5, a breakthrough in sensor calibration designed to address these challenges. Built on a global dataset of over 2.4 million hours of air quality measurements from 600+ sensors in 84 cities, the V2 model enhances sensor accuracy under varied environmental and pollutant conditions. Employing a multiple linear regression approach, the model optimizes performance through innovative features, such as interaction terms between PM readings and environmental factors.

Performance metrics show a 7% increase in median R² and a 12% reduction in median RMSE, even in areas without access to Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) instruments. Attendees will learn how tribal programs can leverage low-cost, solar-powered air quality sensors that use this model to improve data coverage and protect community health.

Technical 

CASTNET is a long-term atmospheric monitoring program that provides air quality and atmospheric deposition data from standardized monitoring stations operating throughout the contiguous United States, Alaska, and Canada. CASTNET sites, located primarily in rural communities, measure weekly ambient concentrations of sulfur and nitrogen pollutants as well as hourly ozone concentrations.  CASTNET also has an enduring, collaborative relationship with the National Atmospheric Deposition Program, which monitors ammonia, mercury, fluorinated organic chemicals (PFAS), and other pollutants at many collocated sites.

Through networks like CASTNET and NADP, EPA has developed fruitful relationships with Tribal agencies and continually seeks new partnership opportunities to help meet tribal air quality data and training needs and build monitoring capacity. Over the past two decades, EPA has partnered with several Tribes, providing equipment and training to establish multipollutant monitoring sites on their land. The expansion of EPA’s Tribal air monitoring partnerships has resulted in overall improved spatial and temporal representation of air quality in Indian Country and provided a mechanism to ensure accessible air quality data are sustained. 

In 2023, EPA’s CASTNET program in collaboration with EPA Region 9, established a new site operated by the La Posta Tribe who performs the weekly site visits. Recently, CASTNET published a 3-year modernization plan that outlines efforts that will enhance the value of the program and address the most pressing scientific and policy-relevant questions. Through the modernization effort, EPA has started deploying PM2.5 sensors at CASTNET sites to fill gaps in the nation’s air quality program. Most recently, EPA has partnered with the La Posta and Campo Tribes in Southern California to evaluate and expand the deployment of low-cost PM sensors. The PM measurements, with existing CASTNET pollutant concentrations, will serve as a tool to identify anthropogenic and natural emissions sources. In this presentation, EPA and the La Posta Tribe will discuss new directions and opportunities for future collaborations.

Technical

California Tribes are already facing air quality challenges caused by climate change impacts such as extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Building resilience to these impacts requires sustained investment in climate change research and science to inform appropriate actions. Through California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment and Tribal Research Program, the State is supporting tribally led climate change research initiatives to address this critical need and further support the work already underway in tribal communities. 

Building on lessons from California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, this program advances culturally appropriate, Indigenous-led climate solutions. 

This panel will highlight tribal collaboration on the Fifth Assessment with speakers representing the Tribal Research Program’s Tribal Advisory Group, Tribal Research Grant Program grantees, and authors of the Tribal and Indigenous Communities Summary Report. Panelists will discuss ongoing tribal climate projects and invite participant feedback to inform ongoing efforts to uplift indigenous knowledges in the State’s climate research portfolio. 

Other / Cross Media

Panel with NTAA Policy Advisory Committee members will discuss emerging issues and the changing Administration's priorities and their impact on air quality. Questions will be collected from Tribal environmental professionals ahead of the NTFAQ and prior to the panel.

Other / Cross Media

When wildfires and extreme heat events occur, homes can become a refuge. Yet many homes lack sufficient insulation, air sealing, ventilation and air filtration. Residents of these homes have greater indoor exposure to heat and pollutants, increasing their risk of strokes, heart attacks and asthma attacks. Join us for this session as we share the most current evidence and have a Tribal conversation around: 1) Critical building retrofits that protect a home during smoke and heat events, and 2) Protective actions that residents themselves can take to reduce their indoor exposure to smoke and heat. 

Voluntary Programs

Join us as an Air Quality Specialist recounts his journey to establish a new air monitoring station. Explore the challenges faced, the strategies employed, and the opportunities taken to enhance air quality monitoring in the community.

Capacity Building

This 1-hour presentation will discuss 1) The TAMS Center Equipment Loan Program 2) The TAMS Center Technical Trainings 2) the TAMS Center Professional and Technical Assistance.  Each topic will be presented by a member of the TAMS program followed by a success story by a Tribal Representative that has used the service and/or support.  Session will include a short Q&A for audience members.

Technical

The NADP now has two new networks that have drawn interest from tribal air agencies and are relevant to all tribal communities. 

The newest network is a pilot network of 9 sites measuring atmospheric mercury concentrations with a relatively new passive monitor. The monitoring methodology is a proven and cost-effective method to measure gaseous elemental mercury on a quarterly timescale. The method is relatively robust, easy to use, and requires no power or scientific training. The network began on Jan 1, 2025, and opportunities exist for new sites with an interest in mercury in fish, atmospheric concentrations and potential estimates of Hg dry deposition. This network pairs well with our dry deposition for mercury network (Mercury Litterfall Network). 

The second network is the NADP PFAS-NTN Subnetwork, (PFN), where we are measuring the concentrations of 33 (soon to be 39) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS also known as “forever chemicals”) in precipitation, as a subsample to our NTN network. There are virtually no changes to the field sampling at PFN sites that already have NTN sites. Tribes already operating NTN sites can easily add PFAS concentrations. The network, operating in its second year as a transitional network, currently has 16 sites, including 4 tribal sites. There is growing concern that PFAS contamination in surface/ground waters, ambient/indoor air, soils and vegetation causes negative health impacts to humans, animals and ecosystems through a myriad of different exposure pathways. The NADP PFN will provide precipitation concentrations and deposition estimates to help characterize the sources, transportation and fate of PFAS.

This presentation will present methods, results, costs, and outcomes for both networks, and tribal participation is welcome and encouraged. 

We could also offer a Eco-Café presentation in addition to this talk, or as an alternate to the talk. 

Technical

This session will include speakers to share opportunities and challenges that our local, state, and tribal entities face in common, and explore ways to work more effectively together

Air Quality Policy and Regulations

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe Air Quality Division will provide an overview of its ambient air monitoring programs and Clean Air Act regulatory programs, to include administration of the Tribal Minor New Source Review programs and Title V operating permit programs.

Air Quality Policy and Regulations

This fun and interactive activity will bring highlight and explain many of the acronyms that are used in the world of tribal air quality. Conducted with a few rounds on the Kahoot platform, participants will challenge themselves and each other on the many familiar, and not so familiar, acronyms in the air quality world. Participants will need to use their own cell phone or laptop with an internet connection.

Technical

Join the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Pueblo of Santa Ana as they discuss the history and evolution of their air programs. We will go over how these programs are structured, the obstacles that were faced along the way, what we have learned, and the importance of networking. We will also share different strategies for community outreach when communicating data or educating Tribal members on the importance of air quality.

Other / Cross Media

In 2024, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes began their journey into air quality monitoring, focusing on laying the groundwork for a successful program on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation (DVIR). This presentation will cover key first-year milestones, including securing funding, planning for monitoring infrastructure, and building capacity through training and partnerships. By sharing our progress, challenges, and lessons learned, we hope to inspire and support other tribal environmental professionals in starting their own air monitoring programs. This first year shows how tribal-led initiatives can make a big difference in protecting the air we all breathe and creating healthier communities

Technical

This session will provide an overview of school bus electrification in Indian Country, focusing on electric school buses (ESBs) serving Native students, the associated benefits and challenges, and spotlighting notable ESB projects within Native communities. The session will focus on workforce development and the long-term benefits to these communities. We outline learning outcomes for workers including technicians, bus drivers, fleet managers, first responders and those interacting with ESBs. 

The World Resources Institute Electric School Bus Initiative published an industry-first Electric School Bus Training Standard that can support schools, trainers and instructors on developing training for people interacting with ESBs. The standards are free and have been peer-reviewed by over 50 industry experts. They contain different levels of learning outcomes to support development of a training program. The session will describe training needs and show examples from these standards, which can also be useful for other electric vehicle training beyond ESBs. 

Capacity Building

The group will share that free Technical Assistance is available to Tribes for a variety of projects from energy efficiency, to water resources, to air quality initiatives through the EJ TCTAC Program. ITEP and NIHB staff can assist Tribes in locating relevant grants, review grant applications prior to submission, write job descriptions, and more. 

     -   Introduce ITEP staff and technical assistance offerings

     -   Introduce NIHB staff and technical assistance offerings

      -  Briefly touch on open air quality related grants

Capacity Building

The Gila River Indian Community’s Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Program (GRIC DEQ) is dedicated to ensuring the air quality within the Community remains healthy and safe for all residents. "Breathing Easy: An Insight into GRIC DEQ's Air Quality Program" offers an in-depth look at the initiatives, policies, and technologies employed by the program to monitor, protect, and improve air quality across the Community. This overview will cover key aspects of the program, including the history of our program, community engagement efforts, and the challenges faced in maintaining clean air. By focusing on the critical role of education and outreach, the GRIC DEQ aims to empower the Community with knowledge about the sources of air pollution and the steps they can take to contribute to a cleaner environment. This presentation will provide valuable insights into the ongoing efforts to safeguard air quality, ensuring a healthier future for the Gila River Indian Community.

Voluntary Programs

This presentation will cover what Treatment as a State (TAS) is, how it came to be, and the eligibility determination requirements. 

Capacity Building

The Bishop Paiute Tribe Air Program staff will share information about our recent community air monitoring project to pursue continuous and portable sampling of PM2.5 carbon-based particle pollution (soot). The presentation will cover the impetus to add this capability to the monitoring program, recap previous supporting efforts, and present recent community sampling results.

Voluntary Programs

This presentation will cover the Ute Indian Tribes Monitoring Program, day to day operations of an air technician, information of equipment utilized in the program, basic maintenance and issues faced, as well as video of daily operations and a video of why we monitor, which is for our people, our home, our traditions, our mother earth and father sky. The video will have pictures of our reservation, our people, and some of our traditional practices, such as bear dance, round dances, hand games, and powwows. 

Technical

We will present the highlights of the 2024 STAR report.

Air Quality Policy and Regulations

If you're a Tribal Air Quality professional, like us, you probably have limited funds or time for healthy homes projects. And healthy homes outreach and education is no small challenge, given the many pollutants indoors (i.e., lead, radon, smoke, mold, chemicals, etc.). Join us for this session to hear tactics and tips that can make your job a bit easier. You'll hear about a wide range of Tribal approaches to community outreach and see some of the best educational materials that you can tailor for your Tribe or use as is. We'll also talk about partners in your community who can boost your messages, from Community Health to Housing to Elders and Early Childhood Education.

Voluntary Programs

Wildfire smoke has harmful impacts to health, and we continue to experience larger, smokier, and longer-lasting fires. Tribes have been actively working to get communities ‘smoke ready’, helping ensure health and safety when smoke is in the air, and working to recover after fires and smoke. Join this session to hear from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe (Idaho), Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (Washington State), and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (Alaska) about their work to support smoke preparedness, collaborate with forestry and health partners, provide resources to mitigate smoke impacts, and recover after wildfires. EPA Region 10 will also share tools available to Tribes for local air data, outreach, and creating safe indoor air spaces.

Other / Cross Media

Addressing air quality concerns requires tools that are both accessible and effective in identifying pollution sources. Black Carbon (BC), a critical pollutant tied to combustion, poses unique health and climate risks but is often under-monitored due to limited affordable measurement equipment. This presentation focuses on how tribal air quality programs can leverage Clarity’s innovative Black Carbon Module integrated into a low-cost sensor platform. Field studies conducted in California, Colorado, and Florida show the high accuracy (R² > 0.8) compared to research-grade instruments. A recent deployment in Perth, Australia further demonstrates how BC monitoring supplements PM2.5 data, highlighting variability linked to fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning. For tribal stakeholders, this dual approach provides actionable insights into local pollution sources, including traffic and wildfires, enabling more targeted and effective air quality management. By adopting BC monitoring, tribal programs can gain deeper insights into pollution trends and protect community health and resources.

Technical

Come listen in on how the Quapaw Nation’s Grant Manager manages grants for their environmental program. This presentation will share what happens after a program is awarded grant money and what steps it should take to manage it successfully post-award. These steps include but are not limited to, accepting the award, managing budgets, reporting, closeout, and record keeping.

Capacity Building

This informative session will give a brief overview of OAR programs and how they interact with Tribes as well as regional Tribal air related contacts. Then it will open up to honest conversation on areas that Tribes and EPA want to focus on.

Other / Cross Media

The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc. (CRCPD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-governmental, professional organization whose membership is comprised of radiation professionals in state and local government and others with an interest in radiation protection.  Within the CRCPD there are more than 70 working groups consisting of volunteer members across the country working on a variety of topics pertinent to radiation protection.   The CRCPD E-25 Committee on Radon is actively engaged in building technical capacity for radon within states and tribes.  This presentation will provide an update on current CRCPD radon initiatives in the state and tribes and inform the audience about support and resources available from the CRCPD to assist in building technical capacity for radon testing and mitigation. 

Other / Cross Media