NATIVE STEWARDS FELLOWSHIP
Congratulations to our 2025 Native Stewards Fellows on the completion of the program!
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Congratulations to our 2025 Native Stewards Fellows on the completion of the program! 〰️
TERA’s Native Stewards Fellowship is a 140-hour workforce development program which brings together Traditional knowledge with wildfire resilience, vocational skills, and ecocultural land stewardship, preparing individuals for careers stewarding their Traditional lands.
Our next Native Stewards Fellowship will take place in 2027
In the meantime, please consider applying to participate in the Lake Wildfire Resilience Workforce Program in 2026
Ecological Literacy
Field time, observation, and learning experientially with nature’s rhythms
California’s plant communities and associated wildlife
Carbon and water cycles
Cultural Knowledge
Respect for the land
Traditional uses of plants and their cultural importance
Native names of places, plants, and animals
Cultural burning practices
Tending to culturally significant species
Vocational Skills
First Aid, and CPR
Chainsaw safety and certification
Wildland fire and fuels management
Cultural resource monitoring
Tree planting and seed collection
A diversity of restoration skills
Career development
“I've been working for the Conservation Corps since July 7th 2024. Currently, I've been in Southern California fighting the Mountain Fire. I am very grateful for the knowledge and experience I gained from TERA. I love wildland fire fighting and prefer it over structural fire fighting. Anyways, thank you and maybe in the future I'd like to come back and work for TERA.”
—Star Brightman, Manchester Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians, Native Stewards Fellow Alum 2024
ABOUT THE NATIVE STEWARDS FELLOWSHIP
TERA’s Native Stewards Fellowship training program brings together traditional knowledge with wildfire resilience and ecocultural land stewardship, preparing individuals for meaningful careers that help heal our community and relationship with the land.
Leadership and vocational training prepares participants for ongoing careers with livable wages and upward mobility in the fields of restoration ecology, wildland firefighting and prescribed fire, forestry and fuel load reduction. Skills include learning to fell and limb trees, chainsaw safety, First Aid, and CPR.
Fellows are expected to participate fully in all 21 days of the training as well as complete some coursework before the start date.
Special or Preferred skills:
The ideal candidate will be:
Comfortable outdoors, working in all weather conditions and in remote areas.
Physically able to lift and carry 50 pounds.
Good at working as part of a team.
Willing and eager to learn about land stewardship and culture.
