The indigenous tribes of the four-corners region in the United States, including the Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute, Southern Ute, and Jicarilla Apache Nation, are committed to preserving their environment, culture, traditions, and the health of their people through sustainability projects. In this report, recent initiatives undertaken by some of these tribes will be highlighted.

The Ute Mountain Ute tribe in southwestern Colorado is working on a native plant preservation project in collaboration with the Montezuma Land Conservancy, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, and Trees, Water & People. Due to dry conditions, over-harvesting, habitat degradation, and increased development, there has been a loss of habitat. The tribe aims to pass on knowledge of traditional native plants to the next generation and create a plan for sustainable harvesting. The project includes developing a greenhouse to cultivate native plant seeds and replant to restore the plant habitat. An inventory and assessment of the condition of known harvest locations will also be conducted.

The Jicarilla Apache Nation, located in the northwestern region of New Mexico, has partnered with the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) to implement a solar project. The tribe aims to move away from fossil fuels and help the city of Albuquerque move towards clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The solar project features the third-largest utility-scale solar array currently operating on tribal lands in the United States. The 50-megawatt solar field is expected to start operating towards the end of 2022 and produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of about 16,000 homes for a year. Additionally, a second 50-MW solar array with 20 MW of backup battery storage is under construction.

The Hardrock community chapter house in the Navajo Nation, located on Black Mesa in the central region, is transitioning to clean energy after the closure of the nearby Black Mesa coal mine. The chapter house proposed implementing a solar project in partnership with Native Renewables, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, Sunnova Energy, Vector Energy, Fusion Power, Generac Clean Energy, and Empowered by Light. The project includes a string of solar modules on the roof, some of which are hooked up to optimizers, batteries inside the building, and approximately 36-kilowatt hours of backup battery storage. The project will soon be in operation.

In conclusion, the indigenous tribes of the four-corners region of the United States have taken significant steps to implement sustainable projects to preserve their environment, culture, and traditions. Through these initiatives, they are demonstrating the importance of sustainability and paving the way for a greener future.

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Sources

1. Bryan, S.M. (2020, October 15). Solar farm to be established by New Mexico utility and tribe. Associated Press News. https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-albuquerque-57b9a0bb329e3b82585d3aa5c3add5cd

2. Mimiaga, J. (2022, June 16). Ute Mountain Utes work towards the preservation of native plant habitats. The Journal. https://www.the-journal.com/articles/ute-mountain-utes-look-to-preserve-habitat-of-native-plants/

3. Robinson-Avila, K. (2022, April 28). ABQ receives power from a 50MW solar panel array. Albuquerque Journal. https://www.abqjournal.com/2493701/50mw-solar-array-sending-power-to-abq.html

4. Tó Nizhóní Ání. (2022, May 11). Hardrock Chapter Solar Celebration! Ahéhee’ to Native Renewables for this! #Solar #NavajoNation #Arizona [Video]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=692265558763573

5. Tó Nizhóní Ání “Sacred Water Speaks.” (2022, May 11). Hardrock Chapter Solar Celebration. https://tonizhoniani.org/hardrock-chapter-solar-celebration/

Sources of information

1. Bryan, S.M. (2020, October 15). Establishment of a solar farm through the collaboration of a New Mexico energy company and a tribe. Associated Press News. https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-albuquerque-57b9a0bb329e3b82585d3aa5c3add5cd

2. Mimiaga, J. (2022, June 16). The Ute Mountain Utes are working towards the conservation of native plant habitats. The Journal. https://www.the-journal.com/articles/ute-mountain-utes-look-to-preserve-habitat-of-native-plants/

3. Robinson-Avila, K. (2022, April 28). ABQ receives power from a 50MW solar panel array. Albuquerque Journal. https://www.abqjournal.com/2493701/50mw-solar-array-sending-power-to-abq.html

4. Tó Nizhóní Ání. (2022, May 11). Hardrock Chapter Solar Celebration! Shoutout to Native Renewables for this achievement! #Solar #NavajoNation #Arizona [Video]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=692265558763573

5. Tó Nizhóní Ání “Sacred Water Speaks.” (2022, May 11). Hardrock Chapter Solar Celebration. https://tonizhoniani.org/hardrock-chapter-solar-celebration/

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