The Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains regions together serve 44 Tribes through 9 local BIA agencies in Kansas, Texas and eastern Oklahoma. These regions experience weather that is dramatic and consequential; from hurricanes and flooding to heat waves and drought, its 34 million people, their infrastructure, and economies are often stressed, greatly impacting socioeconomic systems. The quality of life for the region’s residents is dependent upon resources and natural systems for the sustainable provision of our basic needs—food, energy, and water. Extreme weather and climate events have redistributed demands for consumption, production, and supply across these regions (NCA4, Ch. 23). Tribal and Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to water resource constraints, extreme weather events, higher temperature, and other likely public health issues. Efforts to build community resilience can be hindered by economic, political, and infrastructure limitations, but traditional knowledge and intertribal organizations provide opportunities to adapt to the potential challenges of climate change (NCA4, Ch. 23).
Eastern Oklahoma: Resources
- Eastern Oklahoma Regional Map (bia.gov)
- Eastern Oklahoma Tribal Fact Sheet (bia.gov)
Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) Regional Resources
- South Central CASC Host University: University of Oklahoma (ou.edu)
- South Central CASC (southcentralclimate.org)
- South Central CASC Projects (cascprojects.org)
- South Central CASC (usgs.gov)
Eastern Oklahoma: Bureau of Indian Affairs
Connect with the BIA Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience Regional Coordinator:
Sheena Schemm
Regional Coordinator
Email: Sheena.Schemm@bia.gov
Phone: (817) 771-4335
Eastern Oklahoma: Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison
The BIA Eastern Oklahoma region is served by the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, partnering with the Chickasaw Nation.
Amelia Cook
Senior Liaison
Email: amelia.cook@chickasaw.netYvette Wiley
Supported in part by the US Geological Survey
Liaison
Email: DYvette.Wiley@ou.edu
Phone: (918) 549-8648
Southern Plains: Resources
- Southern Plains Regional Map (bia.gov)
- Southern Plains Tribal Fact Sheets (bia.gov)
Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) Regional Resources
- South Central CASC Host University: University of Oklahoma (ou.edu)
- South Central CASC (southcentralclimate.org)
- South Central CASC Projects (cascprojects.org)
- South Central CASC (usgs.gov)
Southern Plains: Bureau of Indian Affairs
Connect with the BIA Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience Regional Coordinator:
Sheena Schemm
Regional Coordinator
Email: Sheena.Schemm@bia.gov
Phone: tel: (817) 771-4335
Southern Plains: Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison
The BIA Southern Plains region is served by the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, partnering with the Chickasaw Nation.
Amelia Cook
Supported by the Chickasaw Nation
Senior Liaison
Email: amelia.cook@chickasaw.netYvette Wiley
Liaison
Email: DYvette.Wiley@ou.edu
Phone: (918) 549-8648
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