Watershed intern reflects on Summer 2026 efforts
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the Tó Nizhóní Ání (TNA) watershed restoration intern wrapped up her Summer 2026 Internship after a remarkable season. Leanna Cox joined the watershed restoration team on May 10, 2026, a full two (2) weeks before the rest of the summer interns.
Leanna Cox is a student at Northern Arizona University, starting her sophomore year, and pursuing her bachelor’s degree in environmental science. Leanna is originally from Gunlock, UT, about 20 miles northwest of St. George, UT. Her upbringing in a rural desert community inspired her professional focus on water management, environmental justice, and long-term sustainability.
Tó Nizhóní Ání watershed restoration project lead Andrew Atencia mentored and supervised Leanna throughout her internship.
“Leanna was an exceptional intern. Not only competent in the field, but also a huge help in the office with data analysis. Working with Leanna to capture field data, build structures and help around camp has been a pleasure. I look forward to continuing the Watershed Restoration Intern program into the future; I believe the work experience gained is invaluable in today’s job market.”
-Andrew Atencia, Watershed Restoration Project Lead
The watershed restoration program had already begun working in the Háájíbáhá (Warpath Valley) watershed by the time Leanna arrived. Read more about Leanna’s first day in Warpath Valley here. Haajibáhí is the Diné (Navajo) word for the Warpath Valley area located in the chapter community of Black Mesa (Kits’iilí), AZ, on the Navajo Nation. The Warpath Valley watershed is a 7,581-acre watershed located at one of the headwaters of the Black Mesa Plateau (Dził Yíjiin), which feeds into the great Little Colorado River in northeastern Arizona.
The approach this summer was two-fold for the watershed restoration program: 1) hand-built induced meandering structures and 2) retain nutrient-rich soils/moisture through grade control. This summer, Leanna helped the watershed crew create and catalog over 210 structures in the Warpath Valley area, which spans five (5) watersheds (Homestead, Twin Peaks, Warpath, Salt Water, and Unnamed Watershed).
Within the Homestead Watershed, a notable one-rock-dam structure at the confluence of three (2) separate washes was recorded as retaining seven (7) inches of new sediment spanning 12-foot upstream. This one-rock-dam structure was eight (8) feet across and retained 55.68 cubic feet of sediment, which is equivalent to the truck bed of a short-bed Ford F-150.
“This internship taught me so much, and it certainly kept me busy this summer. I saw restorative science and engineering principles, advocacy, and community action put into practice. I saw success with TNA’s methods that gives me confidence the Watershed Restoration mission will succeed. It has been an honor to intern with Tó Nizhóní Ání and get to know the amazing people involved.” -Leanna Cox, Watershed Summer Intern, Tó Nizhóní Ání
Along with building erosion control structures in the Warpath Valley watershed, Leanna helped engage the local community, stakeholders, and potential partners. From the Flagstaff Wool and Fiber Festival to several Walk the Watershed events on Black Mesa (Dził Yíjiin) to participating in the Navajo Nation Climate Change Program’s watershed restoration project in Nazlini, AZ.
Tó Nizhóní Ání (TNA) thanks Leanna Cox for spending her summer with the organization. TNA’s College Internship Program is a meaningful part of the organizational work to develop new leaders in Environmental Justice and a Just Equitable Transition for Communities impacted by coal. Interns engaged with campaigns and projects to which they applied, contributing to day-to-day work while advancing toward clearly defined learning objectives.
To learn more about Tó Nizhóní Ání’s internship program, visit: https://tonizhoniani.org/internship/
