KNED Help Desk
A series of helpful articles from your friends at the Kaw Nation Environmental Department

Photo Gallery:
KNED 2005 Activities

File I: Native Pride, Native Land
Kaw Nation Cleanup Initiative

File II: Questionnaire for EnvironmentalConcerns
Tribal Member Survey

File III: Midges and Mosquitoes
Pest Control Tips for Wastewater Lagoons

File IV: Radon Testing
Product and service information

File V: Roadside Dumping
The problem, threat, and reality

File VI: Air Pollution
Good and bad ozone

File VII: Solid Waste Education
The solution starts at home

File VIII: Coral Reefs
Fun for the kids!

Kaw Nation
Environmental Department

Who We Are

The Kaw Nation Environmental Department was established in 1 996 by the Kaw Nation to preserve, protect, and improve the quality of our natural resources for the benefit of the people of the Kaw Nation and their descendants.

Our office is located at the west end of the Kaw Nation Administration Complex. We are available Monday through Friday to review your concerns or answer any questions.

Our Goals

The Kaw Nation Environmental Department is here to Preserve, Protect, and Improve the quality of our natural resources for the benefit of the people of the Kaw Nation and their descendents.

Our Projects

Over the last few years the KNED has developed several programs funded by federal grants to work towards the protection of air quality, tribal lands, water, wildlife, plants and the health and quality of life of our people. The projects that we are presently working on include the following:

Wetland Construction

The KNED is in the process of developing a Wetlands Project at Beaver Creek. Our goal is to rehabilitate a wetlands area and use it as an educational tool. The finished project will include an outdoor classroom and a nature walk with signs identifying the various species of plants and animals with the names of each species in English and the Kaw language.

Watershed Studies

The KNED is presently doing watershed studies in order to identify and document the impacts to the rivers and streams that flow through tribal lands. We are developing sample sites where studies will be done on the various species of fish and macro invertebrates, the chemical and biological impacts and the overall water quality in those areas.

Solid Waste

The KNED is working on a solid waste reduction program in coordination with other local and state entities to reduce the volumes of solid waste in our service area. The goal of this program is to reduce the overall impacts from solid wastes to our environment to assure the long term preservation of our environments health.

Air Quality

The KNED is administering an Air Quality Program to identify potential impacts to human heath involving both indoor and outdoor air quality. We have conducted Radon and Mold testing in area homes in order to evaluate the level of concern in our area.

Environmental Outreach

The Environmental Outreach Program is an initiative to broaden the knowledge and awareness of the tribal community as to improving and maintaining the health of their environment. By working with the local schools and through outreach to the neighboring communities, we are providing educational materials and classroom presentations to achieve this goal.

Contact Us

The KNED staff consists of Dejene Alemayehu (Director), Shawn Keller (Environmental Scientist), Steven McCauley (Water Technician), Scott Haywood (Environmental Education Outreach Coordinator), and Michelle Gentry (Administrative Assistant). We are always happy to answer tribal member questions about the environment, environmental education, or environment-related health issues. Please feel free to contact us.

US Mail:
KNED
Kaw Nation
Drawer 50
Kaw City, OK 74641
Telephone:
(580) 269-2552 ext 274
Fax:
(580) 269-2301 attn ENVIRONMENTAL
Email: