Arrowhead Regional Development Commission welcomes climate resiliency fellow

DULUTH — The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission is hosting a fellow who will help efforts to strengthen resilience against climate change in the region, the organization announced Oct. 10.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal and Climate Resilience Fellow Ann Seigfreid will be with the commission through May 2027.

She will divide her time between the commission, the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Seigfreid will focus on energy sovereignty, working to update and create strategic energy plans for the bands.

Her efforts include community education and engagement around topics like air quality and residential energy efficiency maintenance.

"Like many rural and remote areas, Tribal Nations in the region have faced challenges in securing reliable energy supplies," the commission said in a news release. "Seigfreid’s work is adding vital capacity to these Tribal Nations as they work toward energy independence and climate resilience."

Seigfreid is part of the commission and St. Louis County's four-year, $1.85 million climate resiliency grant from NOAA.

The project fosters collaboration between St. Louis, Carlton, Cook and Lake counties as well as the Bois Forte and Fond du Lac bands.