Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Tuleyome's New Policy Director
Nate Lillge • April 23, 2024
Recently, Tuleyome hired Hekia Bodwitch, Ph.D. as our new Policy Director. We are excited about what she will bring to our team. She received her B.S. from Cornell University and her Ph.D. from the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from UC Berkeley. Her projects have involved collaborations with Indigenous groups in New Zealand and Canada to support Indigenous co-governance of natural resources.
Hekia has hit the ground running with Tuleyome. In March, she represented Tuleyome on a trip to Washington D.C., where she met with representatives from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service (USFS), as well as staffers from Congressman Padilla’s and Representative Thompson’s offices, to advocate for Monument expansion and Tribal co-stewardship. Tuleyome was there as part of the America the Beautiful for All coalition’s Annual Fly-In, a coalition that aims to ensure funds directed to conservation support historically underserved communities. Hekia urged our congressional representatives to direct funding to Tribal Nations, as well as the BLM and the USFS, to ensure groups have the means necessary to develop and implement co-stewardship agreements and a Monument Management Plan.
Hekia has also been able to get out and enjoy the Monument. This month she helped host wildflower tours at Molok Luyuk and Bear Valley with representatives from the USFS and our partner organizations, and she has additional tours planned with representatives from the BLM.
This is an exciting time for Tuleyome – possible expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, working with partners to establish a management plan, and many other projects. Hekia’s experience and passion will be of great benefit to everyone that loves our public lands in the Northern Inner Coast Range Mountains!
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