The NALC has seven program areas that protect sacred lands and strengthen Native American cultural identity while promoting cross-cultural understanding in a time of rapid and accelerating change.  These programs include: sacred site protection, protective land management, cultural enrichment, research, education through the Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Fund, conferences and publications, and our partnership programs. 

Protective Land Management

Effective management requires good baseline information, clear and concise goals and objectives, and flexible management strategies. As a result of funding from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the NALC now has comprehensive baseline information about the flora and fauna in the Old Woman Mountains Preserve. The next step, planning, involves using this information to develop adaptive management strategies and to design an effective monitoring program of the Preserve’s flora and fauna. The monitoring program allows the NALC to determine whether it needs to adjust its management strategies in order to achieve its goals and objectives for the Preserve.

Research / Scientific Studies

The NALC’s current research emphasis is in the Old Woman Mountains Preserve.  In addition to research programs with San Bernardino County Museum, the NALC looks forward to working with tribes and state and federal agencies to ensure the health and vitality of threatened and endangered species, including the Desert Tortoise population in the eastern Mojave Desert. The NALC is working with field botanists in order to better understand how to restore and enhance native plant communities within and beyond the Preserve.  This program includes researching and documenting ethnobotanical resources on endangered sacred sites and the development of protective and management strategies for these plant communities.

Sacred Site Protection

A primary objective of the NALC is to ensure the preservation of unprotected and endangered Native American sacred sites.  In some cases, such as the Old Woman Mountains Preserve, the NALC will purchase the site.  In other instances, such as 1,650-acre Horse Canyon in the Santa Rosa Mountains or the 4,000-acre Fish Traps site along the Salton Sea, it means forming partnerships with other tribes, conservation groups, or state and federal agencies to put in place cooperative agreements, land transfers, or conservation easements.  In the case of our relationship with the Kumeyaay-Digueno Land Conservancy, it is empowering emerging Native land conservancies protect natural and cultural heritage sites in their historical aboriginal territory. In every case the objective is to ensure the site and its resources are provided with long-term protection and preservation.

Cultural Enrichment

The lands acquired by the NALC provide a unique setting for our Learning and Healing Landscape programs. These programs are designed to draw on the cultural and historic spirit of place to invigorate cultural identity among the Native American participants. This initiative includes cultural knowledge programs, conservation science projects, and programs designed to promote intercultural understandings. These landscapes are also available for cultural gatherings that strengthen tribal relations and help to pass on traditional teachings to future generations.

Education: Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Fund

The NALC encourages the participation of Native American students in its educational programs. The NALC administers the Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Fund that provides educational scholarships and fellowships for Native American students throughout the United States, including support for participation in the Conservancy’s research programs and projects. CLICK HERE to visit www.theresamike.com

Conferences and Publications

The NALC also sponsors educational conferences and seminars. In 2004, 2007, and 2008 it sponsored the Stewarding Sacred Lands conferences. The NALC is now planning a Sacred Lands conference in 2010 and a symposia in 2011 entitled “Signifying the Sacred.” The NALC also publishes educational material based on these conferences and other publications that result from its programs.

Partnership Programs

The NALC places a high priority on partnerships with other groups and organizations concerned with the preservation of endangered cultural sites. These partnership programs include working with: