For the Cherokee people, environmental stewardship is not simply a trend — it is a responsibility passed down through generations. As we celebrate Earth Day with a monthlong series of awareness events, we are reminded that protecting our land, water and air is inseparable from protecting our culture, our citizens and our future.
In recent years, the Cherokee Nation has taken decisive steps to protect its natural resources and plan for a sustainable future. The 2021 Cherokee Nation Park, Wildlands, Fishing and Hunting Preserve Act ensures that public lands across the reservation are safeguarded for generations to come. Complementing that law, we executed a series of executive actions aimed at reducing the tribe’s carbon emissions and improving operational sustainability. We have reduced single-use plastics across tribal government, banned Styrofoam and launched a review of the environmental impact of data centers across the reservation.