Vision
Supporting Native Americans and their nations as they meet climate challenges
Supporting Native Americans and their nations as they meet climate challenges
Mission
The Native Nations Climate Adaptation Program (NNCAP) was initiated in 2015 at the University of Arizona (UA) to build our capacity to work collaboratively with Native American tribes and indigenous populations in the western United States and Mexico. Within the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions and with funding from the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice and the Department of the Interior, Southwest Climate Science Center, NNCAP is working to develop and support solutions to tribal environmental concerns, especially those related to climate and climate change impacts.
The Native Nations Climate Adaptation Program (NNCAP) was initiated in 2015 at the University of Arizona (UA) to build our capacity to work collaboratively with Native American tribes and indigenous populations in the western United States and Mexico. Within the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions and with funding from the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice and the Department of the Interior, Southwest Climate Science Center, NNCAP is working to develop and support solutions to tribal environmental concerns, especially those related to climate and climate change impacts.
Objectives
- Facilitate efforts of UA climate/environment researchers, faculty, staff, and students working with Native Nations to build resiliency to climate impacts.
- Assist Native Nations in identifying and building capacity for adaptation and in identifying climate-related sources of risk and opportunity.
- Engage in outreach and extension programs with tribes in cooperation with Arizona Cooperative Extension.
- Strengthen collaborative networks and relationships among researchers, tribal members, and other potential partners throughout the Southwest.
- Support climate change adaptation and risk management projects taking place on tribal lands.
- Build educational opportunities, support networks and mentoring and career pipelines at the UA and in partnership with tribal colleges and organizations.
Directions and Projects
- Assessing tribal needs and interest in vulnerability assessment, adaptation planning, climate impact monitoring, and implementation of adaptation strategies.
- Working with tribal partners on vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning.
- Connecting tribes with UA expertise, consultants, and other resources to help with climate adaptation planning.
- Developing tools and transferable templates that can facilitate on-the-ground adaptation outcomes.