Seal of the Tohono O'odham Nation
Lead CCASS Contact: Alison Meadow
Tribal nations within the United States are some of the communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts. The Tohono O’odham Nation, encompassing almost 4,500 square miles in the southwestern portion of Arizona, is taking the pro-active step of developing a climate change adaptation plan in order to help it respond to impacts such as higher and prolonged heat events, the potential for larger flood events, higher wildfire risk, and potential stress on its water resources. CCASS is coordinating the development of the plan in collaboration with the Tohono O’odham Water Resources Department. Alison Meadow, lead investigator on this project, is currently working with the Director of Water Resources to present a draft of the adaptation plan to all eleven district councils of the Tohono O’odham Nation; a necessary step before submitting the plan to the tribal council for approval.