California Natural Resources Agency

As part of our work to advance tribal access, co-management, and ancestral land return, the Agency is developing a Tribal Stewardship Strategy Toolkit to provide resources to tribes, non-tribal entities, and state and local governments to learn more and to work together in addressing historical wrongs. The Agency will host regular webinars and trainings on specific topics to support a shared understanding of complex issues around tribal access, co-management, and ancestral land return. will be housed on this webpage. This Toolkit will also provide examples, templates, reading materials, and other resources that we hope will support tribes and non-tribal entities in advancing tribal access, co-management, and ancestral land return.

If you have any suggestions on topics we should include in this Toolkit, please email us at tribalaffairs@resources.ca.gov.

During our first webinar, we had experts share their personal experiences and expertise on why advancing tribal access, co-management, and ancestral land return is necessary work for righting historical wrongs. We recommend starting here as you explore this Tribal Stewardship Strategy Toolkit.

Righting Historical Wrongs: Truth, Healing and Tribal Stewardship

Cultural Burn Agreements under Senate Bill 310 (Dodd 2024)

Senate Bill 310 was authored by Senator Dodd and signed by Governor Newsom in September 2024. This law reaffirms California’s commitment to addressing historical wrongs and partnering with federally recognized California Native American tribes to advance beneficial fire as a critical tool to meet fuel management and wildfire resilience goals of the state.

This law further authorizes the Secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and local air districts to enter into cultural burn agreements in lieu of certain permits.

This page will be updated to provide additional information and resources about Cultural Burn Agreements.