Managing Watersheds in an Age of Climate Change: the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Our climate is changing. Along the shores of Lake Superior in Northern Wisconsin, one signal of these changes is the intense storm events that in recent years have dropped many inches of water in just a few hours. The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians is working with nature to help manage these changes. By protecting wetlands within the watersheds on their Reservation, Bad River is helping manage water from these big storms. Wetlands help slow the flow of water, disperse its energy, and allow the water to soak into the ground, which replenishes groundwater. These areas also provide habitat for wildlife and a more resilient tomorrow for future generations.

This video was produced in partnership by the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department, and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Additional financial support was provided by the Brookby Foundation, Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (Bureau of Indian Affairs), and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

Want to download this video? Download the video from Vimeo here. We recommend downloading the 1080p HD version. Please be aware that this large file may take a moment to download.

Special thanks to the following individuals for their help with this video:

• Mike Wiggins, Jr., Tribal Chairperson, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Raeann Bender, Member, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Kristen Ojaniemi, Videographer/Producer, kristinojaniemi.com
• Donovan O’Claire, Member, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Dawn M. White, Treaty Resource Specialist, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission
• Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Archives & Tribal Historic Preservation Office
• Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department
  • Naomi Tillison, Director
  • Edith Leoso, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
  • Mariah Hipsher, Climate Change Specialist
  • Jessica Strand, Environmental Specialist
  • Nick Blanchard, Water Technician
  • Ben Connors, Sr., Deputy Director
  • Daniel Wiggins Jr., Air Quality Technician
  • Malita Smart, Administrative Assistant
  • Paula Maday, Museum Manager
  • Berthea Olby, Outreach Coordinator

Special thanks to our project funders: