In mid-June, Casey, Ian, and Whitney joined staff from the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe (SPT) and partner organizations for two days of training on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). Idaho Conservation League (ICL) staff joined us again, as did representatives from two new partner organizations: the Great Basin Resource Watch (GBRW) and the Western Shoshone Defense Project (WSDP). Presenters covered the NEPA process, its history, modern-day application (including modern case studies), and how and where Tribes can get involved. EIS training included a case-study activity in which participants brainstormed how a theoretical mine might affect the reservation’s physical resources, including soil, geology, and water. Participants were engaged in the conversation and asked substantial questions. Key takeaways from these trainings reinforced the importance of the response strategy and resource database we are supporting SPT to establish.
Whitney, Marina, and Brock traveled to Duck Valley in early July. They installed an AccuWeather Station and two PurpleAir monitors. A remaining PurpleAir monitor will be installed at a future visit. With all three monitors and the weather station, air quality monitoring will span the breadth of the most populated areas of the reservation. Now SPT can access real-time air quality information for reservations, as can anyone with internet access. To learn more about PurpleAir, check out this article on the TIFO blog.
During our July trip, we also held a kick-off meeting for GIS training. Six people from SPT and Marina are taking an online GIS course from UC Berkeley. The GIS training will increase SPT’s capacity to develop a geospatial record of cultural and wildlife resources and sacred sites on the reservation. This information will establish baseline data for better input during government-to-government consultations.
In mid-August, Casey and Marina joined SPT in welcoming the EPA grant officers to Duck Valley for the first time. We had an insightful meeting with members of the Tribal Council and leaders in various SPT departments to discuss the challenges in responding to the numerous consultation requests for activities on Tribal lands. Discussion included the significant increase in fast-tracked lithium mining proposals, an issue that initiated this grant. Outcomes of this discussion included identifying government-to-government resources that may assist the Tribe in a technical capacity and ideas for potential collaboration with other organizations and Tribes.
We also held a GIS training check-in meeting, which consisted of an exciting discussion of potential applications of GIS within and across the various Tribal Departments. It quickly became evident that numerous interconnected environmental projects were underway across the Reservation. This brainstorming session was shared with the EPA to highlight the numerous applications of GIS and how it can be used as a tool when responding to consultation requests.
We will hold our next EIS training with SPT early in October. The training will use an existing mining proposal to allow participants to dive into an EIS. This will be the first of several opportunities to learn how to navigate the daunting documents, discuss feedback, and eventually generate comments for responding to federal agencies.
Casey enjoyed joining Wendy Nystrom on the Environmental Social Justice podcast, where they discussed how TIFO came to be, why we do the work we do, where we do it, and the realities of global environmental justice.
Make sure to hit the podcast subscribe button. TIFO will return to the podcast to discuss our projects and the global context of environmental justice.
There are lots of ways to tune in:
💻 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gFY3z7bK
🔊 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gYyy6F9K
🔊 Apple: https://lnkd.in/gi_rBUNB
We’ve made great progress on the Environmental Health and Education Program (EHEP) with partners from the International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM), Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Kyrgyzstan. We finished the first draft of a training module for healthcare workers to help patients reduce harmful heavy metal exposures in mining communities. We based the training on materials from local, state, and federal health departments in the United States. Next week, we will be back in Kyrgyzstan to get feedback from health workers on the educational content.
While in Kyrgyzstan, we’ll deliver a second workshop for MOH environmental health staff on air quality and brainstorm opportunities to use air quality monitors for public outreach. In February, we installed two PurpleAir monitors and have continued to download hourly air quality data from the monitors to build a database. Once we have a year’s worth of data, we can assess seasonal trends and patterns in air quality. This will help us explore additional activities for MOH and SES that relate the air quality information and climate change patterns to risks for vulnerable populations.
Our ongoing work in Kyrgyzstan to support local and national governments in building environmental health programs is crucial. In June, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament lifted the ban on uranium mining. This shift towards opening additional mineral exploration in the country highlights the need to advance environmental health capacity within the government. Starting with healthcare workers is an excellent opportunity because they are at the frontline of identifying high-risk groups and supporting the public in reducing their exposure to hazards from the mining industry.
The TIFO team has been busy digitizing the data collected from the Ministry of Health (MOH) Sanitary Epidemiological Service (SES) earlier this summer in Karakalpakstan. SES gave us digitized data for 6,000+ individual water quality samples in four-month intervals across seven rayons (districts) for the past five years. TIFO student superstar Marina Steiner is getting the data into an analyzable format so that we can better understand the sampling and analysis protocols. WSU Environmental Science student Kaylee Gibbs is interning with TIFO to help organize the data spreadsheets and perform QA/QC on translations. We appreciate having so many hands on the project and are always glad to engage students in these efforts. The final step will be to analyze geographic and temporal water quality trends and identify subpopulations at significant risk due to contaminated water supplies.
Simultaneously, Whitney is processing and editing photos and videos, including interviews, which will be shared online to highlight projects and partnerships in Karakalpakstan.
Dametken Ashirkhanova, MSF Uzbekistan staff and member of our sampling team, shares her experience working with TIFO and her passion for improving and protecting the environmental health of those most impacted by the Aral Sea Crisis.
Early this year, we were contacted by Susan Stauffer, the former coordinator of the University of Idaho STEM Access programs, about applying for a $5000 Idaho EcosySTEM grant to engage youth in STEM during the Latah Country Fair. Education and science are at the heart of our work, and we are thrilled to support this STEM educational opportunity. The grant was successfully awarded, and local residents can check out Dream and DO on the Palouse at The Depot building during the Latah County Fair from Sept. 12-15. This educational hands-on space has activities for all ages and emphasizes STEAM (incorporating the arts to enrich the learning experience) careers and opportunities. TIFO will be on hand with a handheld X-ray fluorescent spectrometer (XRF) to demonstrate how to test for heavy metals and support other interactive activities. Big thanks to Susan for inviting us to be part of this fun event!
There are a lot of people who make TIFO projects possible, and many of them never get the credit they so deserve. Kim Olson is a grants specialist who manages multi-million dollar grants for universities – and TIFO’s more modest federal grants. She keeps us on track, on budget, and on time, and she always manages to do so with a smile and kind words, no matter how much turmoil we have going on! From Kyrgyzstan to Sho-Pai lands, Kim is one of our unsung heroes. We are grateful she has been on our team for the past few years.
“When I was introduced to TIFO, their mission of working with communities to improve environmental health and create lasting change really caught my attention. I enjoy collaborating with the TIFO staff and supporting their grants and initiatives while gaining exposure to diverse groups, individuals, and ideas unlike any I’ve encountered in my previous work. I consider myself fortunate to be part of the TIFO team!” – Kim Olson
Our Palouse community lost a true treasure in July when the Gwen Fire destroyed Colter’s Creek Winery in Juliaetta, Idaho. Not only was Colter’s a generous supporter of TIFO and other nonprofits in our region, but they also made darn good wine. Our hearts are with the owners, employees, and friends of Colter’s Creek as they navigate the next steps for the business and land they all love. We are grateful for all they have given—and continue to give—to our North Idaho communities.
Many have asked how they can help. Colter’s Creek asked that support be sent to their local fire department, who risked their lives fighting for the winery.
Arrow Junction Fire District
24700 Hewett Road,
Juliaetta, ID 83535
https://ajfd.co.nezperce.id.us/
Sandra contacted TIFO after hearing Margrit von Braun and Casey Bartrem speak at the UI Environmental Science 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2018. As a new UI Environmental Science MS student, Sandra was interested in opportunities with TIFO.
“I still remember our coffee meeting in Moscow when Sandra told us about her interests and experience and how it felt like fate that we connected. We were gearing up for the project in Kyrgyzstan and were thrilled to have a US student work on the project alongside Kyrgyz researchers. Sandra brought so much dedication, excitement, and fresh ideas to the project. Perhaps more importantly, she thrived working for four weeks in-country. She continues to be a joy to work with, and we’re so grateful to continue to have her as part of our TIFO family,” said Casey Bartrem.
Sandra Spearman is a researcher at the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), where she works on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report and the Goalkeepers (GK) report. For the GBD report, she models the global human health impact of lead, household air pollution (HAP), and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH). For the GK report, she estimates the prevalence of safely managed sanitation globally. Before her work at IHME, Sandra received her Master of Environmental Science from the University of Idaho while working with TIFO to conduct a human health risk assessment at a mercury mining site in Kyrgyzstan. Sandra lives in Idaho with her partner, Chris, and her senior cat, Mamacat.
“I choose to give my time to TIFO as I believe in their mission that everyone has the right to live and work in a healthy environment. I had the amazing opportunity to work on one of TIFO's projects while pursuing my Master's degree. I got to experience TIFO's care and dedication towards education and using the scientific process to inform public health initiatives. My first-hand experience allowed me to see the true impact an international interdisciplinary team can have on a complex and impactful public health issue. I was especially motivated to continue working on this project and environmental health as my career after meeting with the individuals and children who were being impacted. Thanks to TIFO, I received my Master's degree and now continue to work on estimating the impact of environmental risk factors on global public health. TIFO has had a large impact on life, and I hope through my volunteering that I too will be able to make a positive impact on others lives.” - Sandra Spearman
In July, Casey, Margrit, and Ian traveled to South Africa, where they were joined by TIFO alum Simba Tirima for the 16th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP). It was an excellent opportunity to connect with people passionate about environmental issues impacting communities.
Casey participated in a workshop panel on “Field operations in mercury-contaminated environments: a focus on practical solutions from case studies.” The workshop included examples of environmental health issues in high-resource settings, allowing us to challenge attendees to consider adapting those approaches to work in low-resource settings. Discussing TIFO projects in places like Nigeria and Kyrgyzstan pushes people to consider the cultural, logistical, and financial constraints that require creative, place-based solutions developed with local partners.
Casey also presented on our project in a mercury-mining community in Kyrgyzstan. Her talk drew a large audience because the Kyrgyz smelter may be the only remaining mercury smelter in the world. In addition to highlighting that environmental exposures are not limited to mercury at this site, we engaged in a rich discussion about community-centered approaches to projects where mining is deeply embedded in the community’s history and economy.
Simba and Ian presented a poster on the complicated and critical role that artisanal gold mining plays in some of the world’s most impoverished and marginalized regions. Using the Nigeria project, we juxtaposed the industry’s economic importance against the massive human rights and environmental damages linked to the crisis. Artisanal mining ultimately supports a subsistence industry that exploits vulnerable populations, unfortunately, made possible by the use of mercury in extracting gold.
We were thrilled to spend time with Phindile Ugwu during the conference. Phindile is a former TIFO GEMs student from Pretoria, South Africa, in the final stages of completing her PhD. Her research investigated the environmental impact of mercury contamination in soil, sediment, and water surrounding an old cinnabar mine in South Africa, examining its footprint, release, and cycling. Additionally, the study established a risk-based framework for identifying, assessing, and managing mercury-contaminated mining sites.
Finally, a few well-knowns in the TIFO network presented their work related to mercury contamination:
- Chris Eckley (USEPA Region 10) gave two presentations, “Measuring and modeling mercury transformation and flux processes downstream of the historical Black Butte Mercury Mine” and “Identifying the role of native versus non-native wetland vegetation to influence methylmercury production.”
- Bryn Thoms (Oregon DEQ) presented “Identifying spatial patterns of mercury and methylmercury concentrations and loads downstream of historical mining areas in the Western USA.”
- Sarah Rothenberg (Oregon State University) presented “Associations between in utero methylmercury exposure and child’s weight from birth to 36 months in rural China and Norway.”
ShopRaise is an innovative and simple way to turn your everyday shopping at over 1,000 participating retailers into support for our cause. (It is similar to the now-retired AmazonSmile program.)
It’s simple: download the ShopRaise mobile or desktop app and every time you purchase from a participating retailer, a percentage will go to TIFO.
- Click this link from your mobile device to get the ShopRaise app.
- Click this link from your desktop to get the browser extension.
- Watch this video to set up TIFO as the cause you support.
- Use tools in the mobile app to share it with family and friends.
- When you shop online, you help us reach our fundraising goals.
TIFO Meat and Greet (Tonight!)
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, March 25
Shattuck West Taproom
630 N. Almon St., Suite 135,
Moscow, ID
Eat sausage, do good. Happy Hog meatery will be grilling up sausages with all proceeds going to TIFO and Shattuck West Taproom will donate $1 from each beverage sold. Learn More >>
Earth Gives
Sept. 6 - Oct. 1
www.earthgives.org/organization/TIFO
Earth Gives Day is Oct. 1, 2024! Earth Gives is a 26-day nationwide giving day focused on the most critical issue of our time - the climate crisis. Save the date, spread the word, and become an earth giver!
TIFO Annual Celebration
5:30 PM, Friday, Nov. 15
1912 Center
412 E 3rd St., Moscow, ID
Mark your calendars for the TIFO Annual Celebration! Look forward to food, fun, and live dancing music by Jon & Rand Band as we celebrate another year of accomplishments and YOU - the wonderful community who helps us make it all happen.
Dr. Ed Galindo Book Signing
10 AM - Noon
Saturday, May 10
BookPeople of Moscow
521 S Main St
Moscow, ID
Join us for a book signing event with TIFO Board Member Dr. Ed Galindo. Talk with the author and kick off your summer reading with two incredible stories. We will have both of Ed's books - Children of the Stars and Dance of the Salmon - on hand. Learn more about Dr. Galindo here.
- The race is on to build EV battery-recycling plants in the U.S. NPR.
- Listen: 2024 Social Impact Women to Watch Panel: Mentorship with Bior Guigni and Dr. Casey Bartrem. Switch by Nonprofit HR Podcast.
- Flowing Together: Peace and Conflict’s Role in Socio-hydrology. NewSecurityBeat.
- Every day is Earth Day: Indigenous Peoples and their knowledges for planetary health. The Lancet.