Climate Science Alliance Tribal Working Group: A Model for Advancing Tribal and Non-Tribal Collaboration

Abstract:

On-going climatic changes in southern California pose significant challenges for the region's natural and human communities. These changes threaten the health of people, places, and natural resources with synergistic impacts to culture and tradition. For the 18 federally recognized Tribes in San Diego county, these unfolding impacts necessitated the need for a united approach to safeguarding Tribal communities from climate impacts, and as such the Tribal Workgroup was created.

The Climate Science Alliance’s Tribal Working Group (TWG) was established in 2017 through a partnership of Southwestern Tribes, and has since grown to include over 30 members and 18 Tribes working collaboratively to test climate smart strategies that will ensure Tribal resilience for generations to come. Through the use of education, environmental programs, and traditional ecological knowledge, and a focus on community priorities, local ecosystems, and holistic management, the Tribal Workgroup collaborates to safeguard the lands and cultures of southern California’s Indian Tribes from the threat of climate change. The Tribal Working Group serves as a model of collaboration, innovation, and diverse partnerships that is increasingly necessary to continue and expand moving forward.

The proposed presentation will share the story of the TWG with case studies of collaborative projects, partnerships, and the value of this model for advancing the resilience of our region’s communities now and into the future.