Traditional shade structure used by the Tohono O'Odham
Lead CCASS Contact: Alison Meadow
The Native Nations Climate Adaptation Program (NNCAP) launched a Tribal Climate Profiles initiative in Fall 2015. This project provides individualized information for tribes on: 1) observed/instrumental records for temperature and precipitation; 2) climate projections (temperature and precipitation) for the region; 3) guidance on how to interpret both the observed record and climate model projections (i.e. what they are good for, what they are not so good for); 4) a basic overview of potential climate change impacts in the region; 5) resources for climate adaptation planning; 6) additional analysis as requested by the tribes. Drawing on expertise from a variety of UA departments and centers, the aim is to provide, efficiently and at low-cost, a semi-standard template for this information that can be used by tribes beginning their climate adaptation planning. So far the team has worked with the Gila River Indian Community, Sandia Pueblo, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Tohono O’Odham Nation, and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
The program received initial funding from the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice.