Team SPAW (Salish and Pend D’Oreille Aboriginal Watershed) hosted by the Salish Kootenai College (SKC) is located in northwestern Montana on the Flathead Indian Reservation just south of Glacier National Park.  SPAW works with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) of the Flathead Indian Reservation. The area is composed of a mosaic of habitats from valley grasslands and wetlands to forested mountains and alpine tundra.  Research themes vary each summer but all projects are geared to benefit CSKT. Projects typically focus on native species, habitat restoration, and biodiversity to support cultural values.  Our SPAW research team uses both scientific and cultural methodologies. Cultural methodologies explore the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) maintained in both the literature and oral traditions. While scientific methodologies are examining the ecophysiological characteristics that control each area of research.  Team SPAW interns have the opportunity to participate on a variety of research topics to address conservation goals.  Past projects have included habitat characterizations surrounding culturally significant plant species such as Camassia quamash or Blue Camas and Wild Huckleberries Vaccinium globulare.  Recent interns have studied: climate change, ground penetrating radar, wetland soil carbon, wetland loss, community outreach, pollinators, macro-invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, large and small mammals, birds, water quality, invasive species, disturbance, land-use practices, and many other land and water resource issues.

For more information about Team SPAW contact Antony Berthelote at SKC: antony_berthelote@skc.edu