T4 Environmental DNA/RNA: Tools, Techniques and Technologies to Protect Tribal Aquatic Resources.

Dulac, Monique¹, Ed Kim², Jack Paar¹, Erik Pilgrim³, Cassandra Schwartz², Michael Stover², ¹USEPA Region 1, North Chelmsford, MA, ²USEPA Region 1, Boston, MA, ³USEPA Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH

Our T4 project will provide New England Tribal nations with education and outreach on the state-of-the science of eDNA/RNA technology and applications as well as low-cost, versatile, and user-friendly methodology for Tribal nations to monitor their waters for aquatic species. This builds upon current applied eDNA/RNA science to identify threats to their traditional food systems early and respond accordingly, determine and quantify success of restoration or eradication efforts, and adapt to changing climatic conditions. EPA will further explore the development of a multi-agency eDNA/RNA web and mobile-based dashboard tool allowing Tribes and others to participate with a community-of-practice and network of experts for collaborative communication, training, mapping, and data and methods exploration and discovery.