Environmental Day at the Capital 2025
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Tó Nizhóní Ání organizers traveled down to Pheonix, Arizona, for Sierra Club’s Environmental Day 2025. This year’s theme was Time to Act! Extreme Heat & Climate Justice. The theme was very fitting for this year in northern Arizona. As we near the end of February, Northern Arizona has had less than 2 inches of rain, through the winter. Community Organizers Adrian Herder and Andrew Atencia both spoke at the Environmental Day event on current campaigns and projects related to water protection and remediation. Adrian summarized the work for Tó Nizhóní Ání from the very beginning of their organization’s establishment to the present day. He reiterated TNAs mission is to continue to protect Black Mesa’s only source of potable water while also working to bring power back to their Diné (Navajo) communities impacted by coal. Even as the only coal mine in Arizona closed its doors, Tó Nizhóní Ání’s work continues as the question of reclamation of mined lands and the restoration of water sources go unchecked by federal agencies and mining companies. In addition, the Navajo Nation is currently being bombarded with new energy projects being touted as “clean energy” that plan to continue the use precious Navajo water in their operations. Tó Nizhóní Ání is not opposed to carbon free renewable energy projects like wind and solar but certain projects being pushed on the Navajo Nation are water intensive such as hydrogen and pumped storage hydropower (PSH). One year ago, the Black Mesa Pumped Storage Project was rejected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) due to the work of community groups like Tó Nizhóní Ání. Adrian concluded by reminding everyone that the work must continue with water as the priority.
Andrew Atencia continued the advocacy to protect local water sources by talking about his Watershed campaign. Andrew was able to pool smaller funds together to develop and implement a watershed restoration pilot project in 2024. Andrew spoke about the efforts on Black Mesa and their first completed pilot project the Tsiiyi’ Tó Watershed Restoration Project & Training. Tsiiyi’ tó means “spring within the wooded area” in the Diné language. The Tsiiyi’ Tó Watershed Pilot Project & Training was a nine-month pilot project in Hardrock, Arizona. The goal for Tó Nizhóní Ání’s watershed efforts is to restore rangelands, farmland rewetting, erosion control and shallow aquifer recharge. Desertification is quickly engulfing Diné lands, Tó Nizhóní Ání aims to capture more moisture on Black Mesa. Tó Nizhóní Ání would like to thank all those involved with this event and for allowing us to share our work with Environmental Day 2025 attendees.
