Session 4 of 4 of RMS' 2026 Hydropower Insights Webinar Series

Session Description

In this webinar, you will learn about the National Indigenous Coalition on Hydropower (NICH), a newly formed collaborative of hydro practitioners consisting of tribal representatives across the country.

Learning Objectives

As a participant, you will understand:

• Background of the group of panelists who describe their experience and interest in having a voice in hydropower licensing proceedings, based on their geography, personal expertise and cultural framework.
• The recent history of tribal engagement in hydro relicensing from the perspective of sovereign nations that may or may not be federally recognized.
• Actions or outreach efforts that are invited and welcome to support the mission and workplan efforts of the tribes represented and others.

Speaker

Dr. Stephanie Quinn-Davidson is the Science and Policy Director with Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group. Prior to joining the R2R team, Stephanie worked for over a decade in salmon fisheries in Alaska. Most recently, Stephanie was the Program Director for Fisheries and Communities with Alaska Venture Fund, working with Tribes to capitalize on the once-in-a-lifetime federal funding opportunities and leveraging those opportunities with private philanthropic support.

Prior to this work, Stephanie was the director of the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission with Tanana Chiefs Conference, and a fishery biologist, then a fishery manager for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game on the Yukon River. Stephanie has served as an interim board member to the Certified Seafood Collective, was appointed to the Advisory Council for the University of Alaska – Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Oceans, and was the President of the Alaska Chapter of American Fisheries Society. Stephanie was also appointed to the Regional Advisory Council for the Bureau of Land Management in Alaska. She was previously selected as an Alaska Salmon Fellow.

Before moving to Alaska, Stephanie was a professor in the Environmental Studies and Biology Departments at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Stephanie has a PhD in Limnology and Marine Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Grinnell College. Stephanie was born in Gresham, Wisconsin, and grew up in a rural area where she spent her childhood playing in the woods and on the rivers and lakes. Hunting and fishing were a big part of her upbringing and family tradition. She is an enrolled member of the Brothertown Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. She enjoys traveling and exploring the outdoors with her wife, son, and two dogs.

Registration

This series is open to RMS members and non-members, and there is no charge to register. 

Register

About RMS' 2026 Hydropower Insights Webinar Series

This free four-part series is designed for hydropower practitioners seeking practical knowledge and tools to navigate today’s hydro challenges. Each session highlights a different aspect of the hydropower landscape, from licensing to operational challenges, emerging technologies, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Participants will explore the updated Hydropower Toolkit, gain strategies for managing aquatic invasive species at hydropower facilities, understand the evolving role of energy storage in modern electric grids, and learn about the increasing participation of first nations in hydropower decision-making. Whether new to the field or a seasoned professional, attendees will leave with actionable insights, resources, and strategies to approach hydropower projects with confidence, collaboration, and a forward-looking perspective. Recordings will be sent to registrants.

Sessions in this series include:

• April 8: Hydropower Toolkits for Practitioners – Take Two! (12:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET)
• April 29: Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management at Hydropower Facilities (12:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET)
• May 20: Energy Storage in Today’s Electric Grid (12:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET)
• June 10: Tribes: An Evolving Presence as Hydropower Practitioners (12:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET)