2021 Southwest Adaptation Forum

Climate Science Alliance Executive Director Amber Pairis opened the 2021 Southwest Adaptation Forum with welcoming remarks.

Megan Jennings – Conservation Ecologist and Co-Director of San Diego State University's Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management – introduced the Connecting Wildlands and Communities project and framed the day's sessions.

The Connecting Wildlands and Communities team provided a brief overview of the project scope, goals, and results.

The Fire Team demonstrated data products, followed by a live panel discussion about research applications for local climate adaptation from both researcher and practitioner perspectives.

The Water Team demonstrated data products, followed by a live panel discussion about research applications for local climate adaptation from both researcher and practitioner perspectives.

The Climate Change and Natural Landscapes Team demonstrated data products, followed by a live panel discussion about research applications for local climate adaptation from both researcher and practitioner perspectives.

The Planning Team and members of the Technical Advisory Group shared how they have been working to incorporate the CWC data and tools into their planning efforts in Southern California. A live panel discussion followed, with practitioners from across the southwest sharing how they're integrating science into climate adaptation.

Megan Jennings concluded an exciting day of discussions and gave us an idea of what's next.

Amanda Leinberger of the Southwest Practitioners Adaptation Network unveiled their new networking tool. Attendees were welcomed to the SWAF Climate Showcase which featured opportunities to engage, network, and share.

Nikki Cooley – Co-Manager of the Tribes' Climate Change Program at the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals – and Althea Walker – Tribal Climate Adaptation Science Liaison for the American Indian Higher Education Consortium at the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center – began Day 2 of the 2021 Southwest Adaptation Forum with a welcoming and blessing.

A presentation on the principles of Tribal sovereignty.

A panel discussion on the various aspects of sovereignty, moderated by the MC of the day, Melodie Lopez of Indigenous Strategies LLC. Panelists represented different aspects of sovereignty, including political Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous data sovereignty, and the rights of nature.

Attendees learned about the different types of listening skills they can use with Tribal partners, with a chance to practice their skills in a fun interactive workshop.

A panel offering wisdom from several different perspectives on the importance of centering reciprocity while establishing and maintaining partnerships with Tribes.

A panel discussion on the importance of consultation and relationship building prior to project collaboration and before any times of crises, all while encouraging attendees to engage with the Forum workbook to dive deeper.

Melodie Lopez and Shasta Gaughen – Environmental Director, Pala Band of Mission Indians – end the day with closing reflections.

Carolyn Enquist of the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (SW CASC) opened the third and final day of the 2021 Southwest Adaptation Forum. Andi Thode and Alicia Azpeleta Tarancón will provided an overview of Southwest Fire Climate Adaptation Partnership (SWFireCAP), a new partnership between the SW Fire Consortium, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP), two CASCs, and other organizations focused on the intersection of climate change and fire. Nikki Cooley (ITEP) led the opening blessing.

A panel discussion on our diverse connections to fire and how climate change is affecting these complex relationships.

An opportunity to learn from one another through an exploration of case studies where Tribes from across the Southwest have effectively incorporated traditional and conventional practices to address resource management and cultural priorities, while overcoming obstacles to the use of fire.

This panel discussed identifying synergies between existing and new partners that catalyze opportunities for transforming how we bring fire to the land for cultural renewal – and accelerating adaptation to climate change.