The Tribal Climate & Health Adaptation Summit will take place on November 4th, 2026, at the Pala Casino, Spa & Resort. 

Despite a shifting political landscape in which funding and data sources are becoming harder to come by, Tribes continue to advance their climate change adaptation efforts in creative ways. Early assessments and plans are now being revisited to recognize progress made and update climate resilience strategies as new information becomes available. Fortunately, California continues to be a leader with the release of the latest California Climate Assessment, creating more precise and culturally-informed data that Tribes in California can use to protect their communities’ well-being.

Guided by the theme “Keeping Climate Data and Strategies Current,” the Tribal Climate & Health Adaptation Summit will arm Tribal-serving practitioners with the knowledge, tools, and skills needed to update climate adaptation plans as new climate and health information becomes available or as some sources disappear.

During this one-day event, Tribal-serving practitioners will engage in interactive instruction and peer-to-peer learning aimed at targeting challenges that stall adaptation planning. We will walk through strategies for updating adaptation plans, breaking down obstacles that impede progress, and how to keep plans from becoming outdated and unhelpful. Guest speakers and attendees will be invited to share recent findings, success stories on updating adaptation plans, the data and tools you need to update your plans, and resources that are increasing Tribal resilience in the face of a variety of climate exposures. Tribes within California are the main focus of this event.

Attendees will:  

• Understand tribal impacts and responses to climate exposures like wildfire, drought, heat, and flooding.
• Acquire best practices for integrating data, traditional knowledge, and community perspectives in updating adaptation plans.
• Deepen understanding of the linkages between health and climate change, including emerging research topics
• Participate in peer discussions to exchange knowledge and experiences.
• Engage in guided sessions for personal connection and reflection

Draft Program Outline: