The first-ever Tribal Endangered Species Conference kicked off at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday.

The two-day conference is hosted by the National Wildlife Federation's Tribal Lands Conservation Program. It focuses on a wide range of topics affecting tribes and endangered species.

Jim Garrett, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe who specializes in bison preservation studies at Si Tanka College, spoke on Monday. He urged tribes to take a larger role in preserving endangered and threatened animal and plant species.

John Antonio, the American Indian liaison for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's southwest region, also spoke yesterday. He said tribes, with their large and undeveloped land bases, play a critical role in protecting species.

Get the Story:
American Indians urged to increase their conservation efforts (The Salt Lake Tribune 8/30)

Relevant Links:
National Wildlife Federation - http://www.nwf.org
National Tribal Environmental Council - http://www.ntec.org