James Rattling Leaf, Sr. (NC CASC Tribal Engagement Specialist/ CIRES Tribal Advisor) was recently announced as an author on the “Opportunities for America’s Nature” chapter in the First National Nature Assessment. Similar to the National Climate Assessments, the National Nature Assessment is being conducted by the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) with the goal of assessing the interconnectedness of climate and nature loss. The assessment is projected to be published in late 2026.