Climate, Drought and Early Warning Workshop - Workshop Report

The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) convened a workshop in Grand Teton National Park, June 9-11, 2009, to initiate a long‐term commitment to providing tribes with the drought information and resources needed to better monitor and respond to inter‐annual drought conditions and long‐term climate changes. These efforts by NIDIS are grounded in the commitment to help facilitate and establish long‐term partnerships between tribal constituents and federal agencies, universities, and other entities in order to meet the federal trust responsibility.

This workshop report summarizes findings from the workshop, highlighting 1) data collection and monitoring gaps, 2) interdisciplinary research needs, and 3) financial capital and institutional framework recommendations. Workshop discussion and this report highlight definitive projects and research needs that possess clear capabilities for implementation into a current institutional framework or contain specific decisive recommendations for achieving project goals.