Economic OpportunityAdvancing Indigenous Stewardship of Land, Water, and Life

The National Indian Carbon Coalition works to create long-term global climate resilience through Indigenous stewardship of thriving ecosystems. We’re partnering with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities to strengthen sovereignty, restore ecosystems, and protect the natural spaces that sustain us.

Our Approach to Stewardship Tribal-Led. Community-Centered. Guided by Relationship.

When developing nature-based solutions, every project begins with a collaborative conversation listening to the land, to Tribal leadership, and to community voices. By aligning project development with the goals and initiatives of each Tribal Nation we work with, NICC co-designs stewardship initiatives that reflect local priorities, cultural teachings, and long-term ecological health. Our work is grounded in four core practices: 1. Listening – Across every conversation in project development, we’re listening to community-defined stewardship goals so nature-based solutions align with Tribal priorities. 2. Co-Design – Using both TEK and contemporary science, we co-design every project alongside our Tribal partners to ensure long-term stewardship and success. 3. Implementation – We support on-the-ground implementation of stewardship activities that promote measurable resiliency and create benefits for communities to thrive. 4. Renewal – Throughout this process, the NICC team documents stewardship outcomes that show how Indigenous-led care enhances resilience, biodiversity, and well-being.

Stewardship In Action

NICC works with Tribal Nations across Indian Country to advance Indigenous stewardship that restores ecosystems and strengthens sovereignty. Indigenous Stewardship Matters Indigenous stewardship represents one of the most powerful opportunities to create long-term measurable resiliency. For generations, Indigenous communities have cared for the land through relationships rooted in respect, reciprocity, and responsibility. When Tribal Nations lead, the outcomes go far beyond ecological metrics; they restore balance to the natural world, strengthen communities, and safeguard the future for all living beings. NICC believes that supporting Indigenous stewardship is essential for a just, sustainable, and climate-resilient future.

What Successful Stewardship Looks Like

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is working with the National Indian Carbon Coalition to increase carbon sequestration and forest health for over two-thirds of their tribal lands. With overflowing classrooms and crumbling facilities, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is using revenue from carbon sales to build a state-of-the-art high school which meets the community’s needs. “Land stewardship has always been important to our Tribe, and this emerging market gives us an invaluable opportunity to continue to protect and preserve our forested tribal lands and address our children’s educational needs,” offered Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben regarding the project.

Our Impact

The National Indian Carbon Coalition (NICC) is a Tribal-led initiative formed by the Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) and the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC). We work alongside Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities developing high integrity nature-based solutions to generate funding opportunities for Tribal Nations and increase access to resources while promoting long-term environmental stewardship. NICC’s mission is to cultivate holistic systems projects that strengthen Indigenous land stewardship, promote measurable resiliency, and create benefits for communities to thrive. Click "Learn More" to donate.

Our Approach

Grounded in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), our work ensures that Tribal voices guide every stage of planning, implementation, and long-term stewardship. With this, we recognize the interconnectedness of people, water, soil, plants, and wildlife while managing healthy ecosystems as living relatives.