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UMIT Climate Vulnerability Assessment

Client

Upper Mattaponi Tribe

Project Categories

Environmental Planning

Collaboration for Climate Resilience

In 2023, FlowWest collaborated with the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe (Upper Mattaponi) on their Holistic Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment. The Upper Mattaponi, a sovereign nation in King William County, Virginia, have reclaimed 1,255 acres of ancestral lands since gaining federal recognition in 2018, including 855 acres acquired in 2023.

Protecting Cultural and Environmental Heritage

The Upper Mattaponi's ancestral lands include the waterways of the York River watershed, vital to their culture and livelihood. Resilience and adaptation strategies are essential to manage threats like sea level rise and natural disasters, supporting tribal sovereignty.

Integrating Knowledge for Future Planning

The assessment combined traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with western science, using literature reviews, local assessments, and tribal member interviews. The report outlines climate risks to Water, Land, Air, Infrastructure, and Culture. FlowWest will support the Upper Mattaponi in their climate resilience work with a climate adaptation plan starting in 2024.

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woman in hazard jacket pointing by a river

FlowWest Visits Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe in Virginia

FlowWest has always been dedicated to developing cutting-edge solutions for water resource management and climate resilience. Recognizing the need for inclusive and community-driven approaches, FlowWest has partnered with the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe to implement sustainable practices that harmonize with the Tribe's cultural and environmental values. Anthony Falzone, Principal Geomorphologist, has recently returned from a visit with the Tribe to meet in person, take in the beauty of their land, and to continue building a strong relationship with the Tribe.