2025-11-14T21:09:25-08:00 2024-12-31 270741376 HARSHWAL & COMPANY LLP 11405 W BERNARDO CT STE A SAN DIEGO CA 92127 990 2024-01-01 860534380 Native American Fish & Wildlife Society NATI 3034661725 10465 MELODY DRIVE 325 NORTHGLENN CO 80234 JULIE THORSTENSON Executive Director 2025-11-14 true true Sanwar Harshwal CPA P01249746 8589390017 X 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X JULIE THORSTENSON 5241460 false X WWW.NAFWS.ORG X 1989 CO TO ASSIST NATIVE AMERICAN AND ALASKA NATIVE TRIBES WITH THE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF THEIR FISH, WILDLIFE, HABITAT AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. 14 14 26 14 0 3937400 4995481 200180 213502 9485 16096 13076 16381 4160141 5241460 18000 39246 0 1386521 1871892 0 39196 1799264 1731043 3203785 3642181 956356 1599279 6234863 8502221 4005233 4656202 2229630 3846019 TO ASSIST NATIVE AMERICAN AND ALASKA NATIVE TRIBES WITH THE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF THEIR FISH, WILDLIFE, HABITAT AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. false false 2700573 213502 Trainings, Workshops & Technical AssistanceWe offered over 130 trainings, workshops & webinars throughout the year on topics such as climate resilience, invasive species, NEPA, Wildlife Chemical Immobilization, threatened and endangered species, grant writing and wildlife disease sampling. In total, we had over 3,400 attendees.Tribal Conservation Law Enforcement: Throughout 2024, NAFWS provided Tribal Conservation Law Enforcement Officers (CLEOs) trainings to supplement and/or achieve annual training requirements or to provide officers with advanced law enforcement training to safely and successfully carry out their duties as sworn peace officers. Trainings topics included waterfowl identification, hunt safe, human/wildlife conflict management, tactical medical training, defense tactics, legal updates, and firearm training.Habitat Connectivity: The intent of this work is to assist wildlife movement between habitats and areas while minimizing mortality risk and human encounters. At times it is necessary for tribal communities to collaborate with federal, state, or other Tribal entities, to address corridor concerns on Tribal lands. During 2024, the Wildlife Connectivity Coordinator (WCC) developed contacts with a total of 108 Tribes (an increase of 54 from 2023) across 25 states. The WCC focused on providing technical assistance to Tribes working on wildlife connectivity and creating federal policy and management recommendations that improve the capacity and inclusiveness related to wildlife migration conservation. This work is being conducted via regular Tribal-only working group meetings that address current migration issues, project implementation, and/or local success stories in managing ungulate species. The WCC conducted four webinars focused on wildlife connectivity in 2024.Invasive Species: The Invasive Species team help build Tribal capacity to manage invasive species and implement Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) and management capabilities. The Invasive Species team hosted invasive species webinars attended by over 347 participants and provided technical assistance for grant proposal reviews, letters of support, inquiries on funding activities and species identificationFish & Wildlife Biologists: Biologists provided technical assistance and training to Native American and Alaska Native Tribes to identify invasive species, monitor wildlife disease changes, support endangered species programming, develop partnerships, and develop a resource bank to assist Tribes in protection of their environmental resources and populations.Huntsafe Program: The NAFWS Huntsafe Program was officially certified through the International Hunters Education Association in November 2022. In 2024, the Hunt Safe Instructor Course training plan was implemented, and courses were conducted with 24 attendees representing 9 Tribes completing the instructor courses.Alaska Tribal Climate Resilience: The Alaska Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison (TCRL) team made up of a Senior TCRL and two Assistant TCRLs. We also hosted an Alaska Native Intern focused on climate resilience in AK. The team held workshops on various climate related topics. A workshop for the Strengthening Resilience Today (SRT) Project was held in Anchorage attended by 20.Research and Publications Committee: The NAFWS Research and Publication Committee (RPC) was established in 2021 due to concerns regarding research on and about Tribal lands, resources, and people. The purpose of the RPC is to aid Tribal fish and wildlife professionals to navigate, pursue, and apply the different aspects of contemporary research-related issues including research guidance, data sovereignty, professional growth, funding, publications, and academia involvement. In 2024 the RPC completed the Tribal Guide for Conducting Research with Non-Tribal entities.Grants Team: In 2024, the Grants Team, composed of a Grants Coordinator and two Grant Field Liaisons provided direct technical services and helped seek out and apply for funding opportunities with the goal of getting more funds directed towards Tribal fish and wildlife programs. The team assisted with 270 direct technical service requests regarding seeking, applying for, managing, and reporting on grants.In 2024, NAFWS staff provided direct technical services (includes one on one communication, trainings, webinars, workshops, conferences and events) to 348 Federally Recognized Tribes, 52 Government Entities, 68 Tribal Organizations, 65 Academic Institutions (including 15 Tribal Colleges), 146 Non-governmental Organizations/Contractors. Assistance varied greatly but the majority of direct requests were assistance identifying and accessing funding, trainings requests, media requests, and research. 25592 For over 40 years, the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society (NAFWS), an intertribal non-profit 501(c)3, has strived to meet the needs of its members and member Tribes; directly, through conferences, training, youth education, and indirectly; through ongoing support of, and providing venues for government consultations, discussions, and by participating with innovative projects and initiatives in Indian Country. These included the 41st Annual National Conference sponsored by the Great Lakes Region and hosted by the Prairie Island Indian Community in Welch, MN May 13-16, 2024. In attendance were 364 people representing 77 Tribes from all 7 NAFWS regions. We also hosted 4 regional conferences with a total of 313 participants from 75 Tribal nations.MembershipIn 2024, there were 77 active Member Tribe memberships and 493 active Individual memberships with memberships renewed on a rolling basis. Conferences in 6 regions and a strong social media presence contributed to membership growth. 12706 39246 EducationNational Summer Youth Practicum: Twelve students representing 9 Tribes from four NAFWS regions attended the 2024 National SYP which took place at both the Colorado State University Mountain Campus and main campus. Students heard from 24 guest lecturers and participated in team building activities. Students utilized the knowledge gained throughout the week for a Wildlife Management Challenge and staff selected a student group to attend the 2025 NAFWS National Conference to present their plan.Alaska Summer Youth Practicum: Nine Alaska Native youth from nine Tribes participated in the second Alaska SYP. The six-day program took place in Anchorage, AK on the Alaska Pacific University campus. Participants learned about options for post-secondary education, career pathways, salmon restoration, riparian plant ecology, watershed science, Alaska fish & wildlife regulatory systems, and wildlife management with human interactions in a nearby park.Internships: NAFWS welcomed Arial Vaughan and Katie Smith-Easter and Mairuaq Lauryn Nanouk Jones as interns for the summer.Scholarships: NAFWS awarded scholarships to 11 Native Scholars.Native Emerging Professionals: NAFWS hosted the fourth National Tribal Poster Session and Professional Mixer during the National Conference in May. 2738871 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false true true true false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 12 0 false 26 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 14 14 false false false false true true false true true false false true true true true true false true false false AK AL AR AZ CO ID MI MS MT NM NV OR PA SD WA WI X JULIE THORSTENSON 3034661725 10465 MELODY DRIVE 325 NORTHGLENN CO 80234 X JULIE THORSTENSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 0.00 152269 0 0 DONALD REITER PRESIDENT 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL LAVOIE VICE PRESIDENT 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 DARREN TALAYUMPTEWA SECRETARY/TREAS 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 ORVILLE HUNTINGTON DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 SHAUN GRASSEL DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 THEODORE LAME BULL JR DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TERRY METOXEN DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 DONNA NEZ DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 HOPE ROBERTS DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BEN SIMPSON DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL THOMPSON DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MATT GAMBLE DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KAI-T BLUE SKY DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JASON MITCHELL DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 152269 1 false true false 0 40335 2485288 2469858 4995481 CONFERENCES 611710 213502 213502 213502 16096 16096 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Miscellaneous income 16381 16381 16381 5241460 213502 32477 0 39246 39246 0 0 152269 127114 21638 3517 0 1375137 1147964 195415 31758 54967 54967 165231 110561 54670 124288 104765 16705 2818 0 10655 3485 6883 287 124576 124576 0 0 3446 3446 301228 210250 90978 0 30055 16463 12776 816 53739 21525 32214 0 27237 852 26385 798176 637372 160804 0 137537 125448 12089 0 0 19249 19249 3792 3792 Program Services 137464 137464 Supplies 69248 55689 13559 Donated Goods & Gifts 13892 673 13219 Miscellaneous 749 749 0 3642181 2738871 864114 39196 408946 332664 4385166 7090138 0 657111 487154 0 0 0 0 27940 81985 77239 8094 4746 737969 483891 0 0 72038 37577 3650 6234863 8502221 159792 125593 3816561 4458229 28880 72380 4005233 4656202 X 1358914 3198429 870716 647590 2229630 3846019 6234863 8502221 1599279 17110 X false true X true true true X 1327956 1032151 2146139 3937399 4995481 13439126 0 0 1327956 1032151 2146139 3937399 4995481 13439126 0 13439126 540 358 120 9485 16096 26599 0 16381 16381 13482106 586290 0.99680 0.99870 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 81985 77239 4746 4746 CAPITAL LEASE LIABILITY 72380 72380 X 5255124 17110 17110 5238014 3446 3446 5241460 3638735 3638735 3446 3446 3642181 Part X : FIN48 Footnote NAFWS is exempt from income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is also exempt from Colorado franchise or income tax.NAFWS is required to assess whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination on the technical merits of the position assuming the taxing authority has full knowledge of all information. If the tax position does not meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the benefit of that position is not recognized in the financial statements. NAFWS has determined there are no amounts to record as assets or liabilities related to uncertain tax positions. false 0 0 SCHOLARSHIPS 14 39246 false false false false false false false false false JULIE THORSTENSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 152269 152269 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 TRIBAL MEMBERSHIPS, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b THE TAX RETURN IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c No contract or other transaction between the Society and one or more of its members, or any other corporation, firm, association, or entity in which one or more of its members are directors or officers, or are financially interested, shall be either void or voidable.Solely because of such relationship or interest, or solely because such members are present at a meeting of the members of the Society, or a committee thereof, which authorizes, approves, or ratifies such contract or transaction, or solely because their votes are counted for such purpose, if: (i) the fact of such relationship or interest is disclosed or known to the members of the Society, or the committee which authorizes, approves, or ratifies the contract or transaction, by a vote or consent sufficient for the purpose without counting the votes or consent of such interested members; or (ii) the fact of such relationship or interest is disclosed or known to the members entitled to vote, and they authorize, approve, or ratify such contract or transaction by vote or written consent; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair and reasonable to the Society. Common or interested members may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the members of the Society, or a committee thereof, which authorizes, approves, or ratifies such contract or transaction. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a EACH YEAR IN DECEMBER, JULIE THORSTENSON'S COMPENSATION AND PERFORMANCE IS REVIEWED, DETERMINED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.