Natural Resources (KDNR)
Working to protect and restore the Tribe’s ancestral lands, waters, natural and cultural resources. Guided by traditional knowledge and indigenous stewardship.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Karuk Department of Natural Resources is to protect, enhance and restore the cultural/natural resources and ecological processes upon which Karuk people depend. Natural Resources staff ensure that the integrity of natural ecosystem processes and traditional values are incorporated into resource management strategies.
What we do
The Karuk Tribe's Department of Natural Resources (KDNR) was established in 1989 as a fisheries department with a congressional appropriation of $150,000. Over the past three decades, the Department has grown to staff more than 90 employees managing more than 100 project budgets related to 10 integrated program areas. These programs are compartmentalized within three primary departmental branches:
Eco-Cultural Revitalization
The Eco-Cultural Revitalization Program restores the balance between people, fire, water, and forest. By combining traditional practices with modern science, we heal landscapes, revitalize cultural burning, and support the renewal of species and habitats across Karuk homelands.
Watersheds
Our Watershed Program protects the health of rivers, streams, and aquatic life within Karuk territory. We focus on restoring salmon habitat, monitoring water quality, and supporting resilient ecosystems that sustain our communities and future generations.
Administrative Operations
Administrative Operations provide the backbone of the Department of Natural Resources. From grants management and budgeting to staff support and coordination, this team ensures programs have the resources and structure needed to succeed.
Administration & Development
The Administration & Development of KDNR is led by the Director of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy, Bill Tripp. He provides leadership and strategic direction which includes planning, reporting, and inter-departmental communication to ensure that all programs align with Tribal priorities and cultural values.
Key responsibilities include policy development, grant and contract management, staff support, and oversight of long-term projects that strengthen the Tribe’s capacity to manage lands and resources. The Administration & Development team also works closely with Tribal Council, community partners, and other government agencies to secure funding and expand opportunities for future generations.
Eco-Cultural Revitalization
Current Eco-Cultural Revitalization efforts of the KDNR are centered around fulfilling the responsibilities we have as Karuk people to all our living relations, ancestors, and descendants. Since time immemorial Karuk people have remained steadfast in our commitment to this land and its resources.
We are building the Eco-Cultural Revitalization Fund and need your help! Please consider donating today.
Watersheds
The Karuk Watersheds Branch currently includes Fisheries and
Water Quality programs. Current Watersheds Branch efforts focus on benefits to fish, water, wildlife, and habitat restoration. These programs study and enhance the health of the Klamath River, its tributaries, and it’s natural inhabitants at watershed scales.The Watersheds Branch has been
instrumental in the process of dam removal and restoration of the
Klamath watershed.
Wildland Fire
The Karuk people have employed indigenous fire management practices for thousands of years to manage the landscape, stimulate resources for people and animals, prevent catastrophic wildfires, and promote species abundance and diversity. These cultural fire practices were disrupted by Euro-American fire suppression policies, but the Karuk Tribe is revitalizing them as part of a comprehensive fire management approach.
Forestry
The Karuk Tribe’s Forestry Program protects and restores forest health within our ancestral homelands. By combining traditional ecological knowledge with modern forest management, we work to reduce wildfire risks, improve habitat, and ensure sustainable use of forest resources for future generations.
Pikyav Field Institute
The Karuk word pikyav means “fix it.” For the Karuk people, this reflects our responsibility to restore balance between the earth and all living things. Our traditions, passed down from the First People—the ikxaréeyav—teach us how to live with the land, care for resources, and uphold ceremonies that keep these practices alive.
Today, the Karuk Tribe continues this commitment by passing traditional ecological knowledge to the next generation. These teachings guide how we manage our homelands, combining cultural practices with modern approaches to ensure the health of our rivers, forests, and communities.
G.I.S
The GIS Division supports the Karuk Department of Natural Resources and partners through mapping, data management, and technology. We maintain secure geospatial datasets, create custom maps, support GPS fieldwork, and use drones to collect imagery for ecocultural restoration.
Our team also shares this work with schools, interns, and youth, introducing the next generation to the world of GIS. We look forward to expanding these opportunities in the years ahead. For more information, contact us at GIS@karuk.us
Events
Studies, Reports and Resources
Find studies and resources relevant to KDNR and the Klamath region.
Department Leadership
In the news
The work done by the Karuk DNR has been featured in a number of news articles.
Water Quality Monitoring for Klamath River Restoration (RES)
Video shows how dam removal on the Klamath River is restoring natural flows, sediment movement, and salmon habitat through Tribal-led water quality monitoring.
Scientists are Tracking Ecological Indicators as Klamath River Dams Come Down
A giant sediment pulse — millions of cubic yards of silt, clay and dead algae — trapped for decades behind the dams is now flowing.
Scientists studying conditions on the Klamath River hope to help recovery efforts here and around the world, but they still lack dedicated funding.
The California State Water Resources Control Board has issued a warning to avoid contact with water in the Copco and Iron Gate reservoirs due to toxic algae.
Natural Resources FAQs
Answers to common questions about our program.
Our main offices are located at 39051 Highway 96, PO BOX 282, Orleans, CA 95556, Orleans, CA 95556
Yes! We are always looking for qualified candidates to join our team. Check out available positions here: https://www.karuk.us/index.php/jobs
The Karuk Tribe has always understood Fire to be a vital tool for caring for the land. Through cultural burning and other fire management practices, the Karuk people restore plant health, improve wildlife habitat, reduce the risk of destructive wildfires, and strengthen cultural traditions.
Contact Department
Have questions? Reach out to us for more information.