CTUIR to Host Community Biogas Workshop Dec. 4-5

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) will host a community Biogas Workshop Dec. 4-5 to provide education, training and feasibility discussion around the development and use of renewable natural gas, commonly referred to as biogas.

The workshop will focus on CTUIR’s potential to harness biogas energy using the anaerobic digestion process and will provide free kits with hands on learning about the chemistry and engineering involved.

CTUIR Department of Natural Resources (DNR) First Foods Policy Program (FFPP) is partnering with biogas expert David House, author of “The Complete Biogas Handbook,” to host the workshop and invites all who are part of the regional food and energy systems to participate.

“Biogas and the anaerobic digestion technology is a potential option for our region, but such a system would require many of our organizations and agencies to be on the same page,” said CTUIR Climate Adaption Planner Colleen Sanders, who is co-director of the Nixyaawii, Don’t Throw It Away! Project that centers around food waste and materials management education. The project is also facilitating the workshop. “This gathering is an opportunity for us to talk about what kinds of benefits such a system could provide, as well as to determine what kind of future we would like to see for food production and renewable energy development in our communities.”

The Dec. 4 program will feature technical discussion meetings with morning and afternoon sessions in Conference Room 201 at the Nixyaawii Governance Center with relevant CTUIR departments and programs, as well as regional partners connected to the effort. A virtual meeting option for the technical discussion that day is available for those who would like to participate virtually.

“We are hoping this event will provide our community with a chance to talk about our tribal food and energy systems to identify opportunities and potential barriers,” said Sanders.

The Dec. 5 community workshop at the Mission Longhouse on Confederated Way will include those involved in agricultural production, renewable energy, public utilities, waste and materials management, food processing, restaurants and food service, high school and college students, and regional leaders.

Participants will receive free kits to try home biogas operations. Those who register for the event by Wednesday, Nov. 26 will also receive a free copy of “The Complete Biogas Handbook.” In the event of a CTUIR member’s funeral, which are often held at the Longhouse, the event location will be updated.

Partnering with FFPP on the event is Biowaste Technologies, a materials management education business operated by CTUIR member DeArcie Abraham.

“Biogas helps us return to balance with the land, honoring our First Foods, reducing waste and teaching the next generation to use our resources wisely. It’s a way to carry our traditions forward with modern tools,” Abraham said.

To register visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7FNQMJM. For questions about the technical discussions on Dec. 4 or the community event on Dec. 5, email the FFPP at FirstFoods@CTUIR.org with the subject line “biogas” or call 541-429-7247.

For more information, visit https://ctuir.org/departments/natural-resources/climate-adaptation/nixyaawii-don-t-throw-it-away-project/

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is comprised of the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla Tribes, and formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 Stat. 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the reserved treaty rights guaranteed under federal law.