The Center for Community Energy and Environmental Justice (CCEEJ) at San Diego State University is an EPA and DOE-supported Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, supporting efforts in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. CCEEJ is powered by a network of collaborative institutions and organizations across the region, including the Climate Science Alliance.

In this report, we present our model as an actionable framework that advances the implementation of community-led transformational climate adaptation. This text articulates the foundational components of our model and explores key elements for transferability and replication that we hope will inspire others to prioritize relationships, reciprocity, and equal valuation for ways of knowing in their own work.

The Collaborative of Native Nations for Climate Transformation and Stewardship (CNNCTS) advances a model of Indigenous-led lands stewardship for climate adaptation and resilience. CNNCTS is co-led by San Diego State University and the Climate Science Alliance with the guidance of the Tribal Working Group and many partners.

An interdisciplinary team exploring how connected landscapes can support adaptation and resilience to climate change for both ecosystems and local communities in Southern California.

The Binational Working Group’s breakout project “Ecological Network for Shorebirds in the San Diego - San Quintín Corridor” is led alongside Instituto de Planeación Ambiental y Calidad de Vida A.C. (INPACVI), with support from the Binational Resilience Initiative, a partnership of San Diego Foundation, International Community Foundation, Resilient Cities Catalyst and San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative.

The Indigenous Fire, Forestry, and Fuels Crew is trained in fire, forestry, and fuels management to support efforts in the region to address fire danger in historically excluded communities and to advance resilient and adaptive pathways for conserving the land.

This project will help build regional understanding of the vulnerabilities and effects of ecological drought for conservation and natural resource management.

“MAATHAAW: The Fire Within Us” is an Indigenous-led research feature-length film documentary from the Condor Visual Media team that documents the cultural, emotional, and scientific relationships of Southern California Tribes with the gift of fire.

The Climate Science Alliance's Indigenous Food Sovereignty Project, “Reconnecting with Our Food Relatives: Strengthening our Relationship with Food and Community”, uplifts and supports Tribal partners in creating opportunities to reconnect and share knowledge and skills about specific traditional foods on their terms and in their own ways.

Relatives of the Kumeyaay Coastline is a collaborative effort between the Climate Science Alliance, Tipey Joa Native Warriors, and UC San Diego to integrate Indigenous knowledges, participation, and leadership in climate adaptation planning and stewardship.

This collaborative project will work to promote Tribal resilience by developing knowledge and supporting actions that enhance persistence of cultural practices with a focus on preserving the ecosystems and species that are integral to Tribal communities.

The Southern California Interagency Fire and Fuels Cadre was convened in 2022 with the goal of advancing efforts to build economic and climate resilience in Tribal and non-tribal communities across Southern California.

Southern California’s montane forests are facing rapidly intensifying stressors and disturbances that are exacerbated by climate change. The goal of this project is to advance our collective understanding of the vulnerabilities and challenges facing these forests and identify the opportunities and strategies for increasing forest resilience.

This process integrates geospatial data, socioeconomic factors, and cultural priorities and values for regional Tribal communities to inform the development of adaptation strategies and responses to wildfire and the impacts of climate change on regional fire regimes.

Presented by the Climate Science Alliance Tribal Working Group, the Stewardship Pathways Program invites people from across Southern California who are interested in creating or expanding a career focused on advancing Indigenous climate stewardship.

In collaboration with Tribes and Tribal Professionals across the Nation, the Climate Science Alliance provides technical and staff support for projects, events, and planning.