Adaptation Planning for Tribal Environmental Professionals

The Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center hosted a Virtual Southwest Climate Change 101 Course: Adaptation Planning for Tribal Environmental Professionals November 16-20, 2020.

The course was a collaboration between the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. The week-long virtual course introduced tribes to planning for climate change impacts, with examples of how tribes can approach the adaptation planning process. The course was intended for tribal environmental and natural resource professionals who expect to be involved in climate change adaptation planning. Since the course was focused on climate change impacts in the southwest, there was a strong emphasis on southwest tribal environmental professional participation, but due to a high demand, a limited number of tribes from outside the region were welcomed to attend.

Topics covered in the course included: Overview of climate change and impacts in the southwest; Process of developing climate change adaptation plans, from getting started, to impact and vulnerability assessments, to developing adaptation strategies; and Tools, resources, and partnerships for adaptation planning. The course employed a variety of instructional methods including presentations, tribal case studies, and small and large-group discussions and activities.

The Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center greatly appreciates their continued partnership with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and looks forward to the next opportunity to work together to support tribal nations in the southwest and beyond.

For additional information regarding recordings and future trainings, please do not to hesitate to reach out to our AIHEC/SW CASC Tribal Climate Adaptation Science Liaison Althea Walker at awalker@aihec.org.