The department manages day-to-day operations related to land leasing, maintenance and upkeep, and property planning, ensuring that all land use aligns with tribal values and legal trust obligations. Staff work closely with Cherokee citizens, agricultural producers, and partner agencies to promote sustainable agriculture, resource stewardship, and infrastructure development that benefit Cherokee communities. 

In addition to land administration, the department plays an active role in wildfire mitigation, native plant restoration, and supports the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which helps fund essential services and improvements in rural Cherokee communities. 

The department also manages Cherokee Nation’s beef cattle operation and bison herd, both of which occasionally supplement the 1839 Cherokee Meat Co. 

This office partners closely with the Cherokee Nation Conservation District, which administers federal and tribally supported conservation programs specifically designed for restricted tribal and trust lands. Together, these efforts ensure Cherokee lands are managed with care, guided by tradition, and preserved for future generations.