Programs

Fisheries and Wildlife Management

The Fisheries and Wildlife Management Program sustainably manages aquatic and terrestrial species and habitats to benefit the Cherokee community. Building on generations of stewardship and guided by tribal priorities, the program supports healthy ecosystems, subsistence uses, and recreational opportunities. Our work focuses on conserving and restoring species with cultural and economic significance, while also protecting rare species.

For more than 60 years, the EBCI has maintained a world-class trout fishing program that generates a multi-million-dollar economic impact and sustains cultural traditions. Program staff operate the EBCI Trout Hatchery and manage 30 miles of freestone streams, including 2.2 miles of trophy fly-fishing waters, stocking over 200,000 pounds of trout annually on the Qualla Boundary.

Forestry

The ecological diversity of Cherokee homelands is vital to Cherokee identity, culture, and community well-being. For thousands of years, responsible stewardship of forests and cultivated lands has sustained cultural lifeways. Today, the Forestry Program continues this tradition by promoting food sovereignty, conserving culturally important habitats, and restoring forest ecosystems on Tribal and ancestral lands. Integrating Cherokee knowledge with contemporary science ensures that Cherokee values remain central to land care.

Through coordinated planning, capacity building, and partnerships, the Forestry Program advances tribal sovereignty and leadership in land management while ensuring sustainable access to natural resources for future generations. Program efforts focus on forest restoration and promoting resilient cultural systems on approximately 60,000 acres of Tribal land as well as ancestral lands under federal and private ownership. This work includes projects focused on improving timber stands, managing non-native invasive species, facilitating cultural burning, building horticulture operations, and providing educational services.

Environmental Resources

Environmental protection is essential to the health, culture, and way of life of the Cherokee community. The EBCI Environmental Resources program safeguards the Tribe’s water, air, and land by keeping them clean, promoting sustainable practices, and monitoring environmental health. These efforts help the community remain resilient in the face of environmental challenges and strengthen its deep connection to Cherokee heritage, while also preserving natural resources for current and future generations.

The program includes specialized sections focused on Water Quality, Air Quality, and Regulatory Compliance. The Water Quality section protects surface waters through monitoring, enforcement of Tribal Water Quality Standards, watershed restoration, and operation of a certified laboratory. The Air Quality section monitors pollutants, addresses air quality concerns affecting health and culturally significant resources, and develops renewable energy solutions to reduce emissions. Regulatory Compliance staff ensure that development on Tribal lands meets federal and Tribal environmental standards, preventing soil contamination, flooding, and non-point source water pollution, while supporting responsible economic and community growth.

Animal Control

The Animal Control program is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of both the Cherokee community and its animals. Staff respond to reports about stray, injured, or dangerous animals and enforce local animal laws on all EBCI trust lands. The program also oversees the vaccination of pets, supports spay and neuter clinics, manages the Cherokee animal shelter, and promotes public education on responsible pet ownership. By carrying out these responsibilities, the program helps protect public health, prevent property damage, and ensure humane treatment of animals within the Cherokee community.