The Central Coast Fire & Climate Change training was a part of the Stewardship Pathways Program, hosted by the Climate Science Alliance, in collaboration with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes & Climate Change Program (TCCP), University of California Cooperative Extension, the Amah Mutsun Relearning Program, and the University of California Santa Cruz Conservation Science and Solutions Lab.
The Central Coast Fire and Climate Change: Adaptation Planning for Tribes training took place on September 26th through September 28th on the unceded territory of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe in Santa Cruz, California. With over 20 participants from across California and the western United States, attendees heard from Tribal Leaders, cultural knowledge holders, researchers, and agency professionals to better understand climate change impacts in the west with an emphasis on fire and cultural burning. Additionally, the Climate Science Alliance team members Jada McCovey, Will Madrigal Jr., and Connor Magee shared resources and projects the Alliance is actively engaging in related to Indigenous fire stewardship. Amongst attendees were members of our Tribal Working Group.
As a group, participants engaged in dialogue around the effects of climate change on Tribal communities throughout California and beyond and how to address these impacts through Indigenous management practices. One particular discussion, led by the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians Natural Resource Manager, Joelene Tamm, focused on her research testing cultural burning and the timing of tree cutting as a means of reducing the spread of the goldspotted oak borer and restoring forests.
Coming together as a community from various areas throughout the US, attendees were able to hold space with folks who are doing similar work to build community and share knowledges based on experiences from different perspectives. Outside of the conference hours, attendees were able to build community with one another by networking, exploring Santa Cruz, and sharing meals.
The Climate Science Alliance thanks our partners, planning team, and participants for sharing your time, energy, and expertise with us. Special thank you to our Stewardship Pathways sponsors.