Guardians of the Headwaters: Indigenous Wisdom and Mountain Towns Collaborate for Climate Resilience

Mountain towns and ski areas occupy a unique and interconnected space in the landscape of climate resilience. Nestled at the headwaters of vital watersheds, these communities and recreation hubs share not only geography, but a common reliance on healthy forests, clean water, and stable ecosystems.

At the Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Summit in Breckenridge, Colorado in October 2025, a powerful conversation introduced by Geoffrey Grimmer, Town of Eagle, CO and featuring Alastair Lee Bitsóí & Thomas Bitsóí unfolded, bridging mountain communities with Indigenous voices from the Navajo Nation. This dialogue featured  the deep cultural knowledge, environmental challenges, and collaborative solutions that are essential to stewarding mountain landscapes amid a changing climate.

The Challenge in Mountain and Indigenous Communities

Mountain towns face numerous climate-related challenges — from increasing wildfire risks and drought stress to impacts on water quality and forest health. Ski areas, often located upstream, play a crucial role in managing the ecological health of headwaters that supply downstream communities. Yet, these challenges are not confined to mountain towns alone.

The Navajo Nation, spanning an area the size of West Virginia and framed by four sacred mountains as the ancestral lands of the Diné, confronts its own environmental legacies, including the aftermath of the legacy of uranium mining, milling, and contamination. Thomas Bitsóí, a former Navajo EPA official with over 20 years of experience, shared the scale of various environmental issues, including the issue of illegal dumpsites: “There’s probably over a thousand open dump sites across the Navajo Nation,” which pose ongoing threats to the land and people, reflecting the broader struggle to protect water and soil quality amid historical and ongoing industrial impacts.

At the heart of this conversation is the question of climate change itself. Thomas recounted a poignant moment asking his grandmother and mother if they had observed climate changes over their lifetimes. Both answered “No,” indicating how the Indigenous perspective of climate variations being part of natural cycles. “What changes occur… is us. The Five-Fingered People are the ones responsible for what is happening,” Thomas emphasized. This view invites reflection on humanity’s role in driving environmental change and the need for respectful stewardship.

Building Unlikely Alliances: Indigenous Knowledge Meets Mountain Town Climate Action

Alastair Lee Bitsóí, Thomas’s son and a journalist deeply engaged in Indigenous environmental advocacy, illustrated how Indigenous knowledge provides vital insights and solutions for climate resilience. He described the rediscovery and revival of traditional food systems, such as bringing back the drought-resilient Four Corners potato, as a form of climate mitigation: “I feel like I’m helping supply and survive or keep a food system, a superfood alive that our diets need that we forgot that we needed.”

This emphasis on ancestral food systems reflects a broader theme of reconnecting with the land and its rhythms. Alastair explained how such knowledge complements scientific understandings of climate change, blending cultural wisdom with data-driven approaches. “There’s data that now exists that says climate change is real… but human behavior is adding to the crazy,” he noted, highlighting the urgency to align human activities with ecological balance.

The conversation also addressed the complexities of energy transition within Indigenous territories. Alastair shared his experiences working with the Navajo Nation’s government, confronting debates over uranium mining, coal, and renewable energy development. While some leaders advocate infrastructure expansion for equity and development, others caution about repeating extractive mistakes. “There’s a constant threat of energy development in the Navajo Nation,” he said, reflecting the tension between economic needs and environmental protection.

From Ideas to Action: Collaborative Solutions in Mountain Landscapes

Mountain towns and ski areas are uniquely positioned to lead collaborative climate resilience efforts that honor Indigenous knowledge and address shared environmental challenges. The session highlighted examples of stewardship strategies including:

These approaches recognize that mountain ecosystems function as interconnected systems requiring partnerships across jurisdictions and cultures. Tools and resources are increasingly available to assess climate vulnerabilities and design adaptive strategies tailored to local contexts.

Key Takeaways for Mountain Towns

The Mountain Towns 2030 summit reveals the power of collaboration and cultural wisdom in confronting climate challenges. For mountain communities seeking practical actions, consider:

The voices of Thomas Bitsóí and Alastair Lee Bitsóí remind us that climate resilience is not simply a technical challenge but a deeply human one — rooted in respect for the land, intergenerational wisdom, and shared responsibility. Mountain towns, as guardians of these vital headwaters, have an opportunity and obligation to lead with humility, collaboration, and hope.

As Thomas reflected, “At the end of the day, we all sleep and we all eat, we all breathe this air, we all enjoy life. There’s no difference.” Embracing this unity can fuel the collective action needed to safeguard mountain homelands for generations to come.

For those interested in learning more or continuing the conversation, the Mountain Towns 2030 initiative offers resources and connections to support community-driven climate action rooted in both science and culture..

Together, mountain towns and Indigenous communities are weaving a resilient future — one grounded in the knowledge of the past and the promise of partnership.

Can Tourism Play a Role in Climate Resilience?

Tourism powers many mountain-town economies. But as climate impacts accelerate — from low-snow winters to drought, wildfire, and shifting visitor patterns — tourism leaders are increasingly asking a new question: can the industry also help communities become more resilient?

That question was the focus of Mountain Towns 2030’s recent webinar, “Can Tourism Play a Role in Climate Resiliency?”, featuring Hilary Lewkowitz, Director of Destination Development & Sustainability at the Colorado Tourism Office; Eliza Voss, Vice President of Marketing at Aspen Chamber Resort Association; and Sarah-Jane Johnson, Tourism & Destination Services Manager for the City of Durango.

The conversation highlighted a growing shift in mountain communities: tourism is no longer being viewed only as an economic engine but as a potential partner in climate action.

Tourism’s Climate Challenge

Tourism is both vulnerable to climate change and a contributor to it. Visitors are drawn to snow, rivers, forests, and outdoor recreation — all of which are being affected by warming temperatures, drought, wildfire risk, and changing precipitation patterns.

Transportation remains the largest emissions challenge. Roughly 72% of tourism-related emissions come from transportation, with aviation accounting for the majority.

At the same time, climate impacts are already reshaping visitor behavior. As Hilary Lewkowitz explained, recent winters have shown how quickly patterns can shift: “We saw a pretty massive decline in overnight stays at our mountain communities… and about a 10% decline in visitor spending.”

For mountain towns that rely heavily on tourism, those changes carry real economic consequences.

From Promotion to Stewardship

In response, tourism leaders are rethinking their approach.

Through its Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan, the Colorado Tourism Office is encouraging destinations to move beyond simply increasing visitation and instead consider tourism’s broader impact on communities.

That includes applying a “climate lens” to existing efforts — from marketing to product development.

A key insight: sustainability messaging alone doesn’t drive behavior change. Instead, destinations are reframing how they present options to visitors.

This approach aims to make lower-impact choices the most convenient and appealing option, rather than asking visitors to sacrifice.

Aspen: Aligning Tourism with Community Values

In Aspen, climate work is deeply tied to long-standing community values.

The Aspen Chamber Resort Association works alongside city government to promote sustainability initiatives, support responsible businesses, and align visitor messaging with local priorities.

Because the tourism organization does not directly control policy, much of its role is about coordination and communication. “We really can become a facilitator to distribute the information,” said Eliza Voss.

That includes highlighting public transportation, supporting waste diversion efforts, and elevating businesses participating in sustainability programs.

Durango: Integrating Tourism into Climate Planning

Durango has taken a different approach by embedding tourism directly into city government.

That shift has created new opportunities for collaboration across departments, from sustainability to transportation to economic development.

“It really seemed to me to be a governance opportunity,” said Sarah-Jane Johnson, “because tourism now has the right seat at the table.”

Durango has also developed its own Climate Action Plan, with tourism playing a role in areas like food waste reduction, dark-sky certification, and transportation decarbonization.

One current initiative is a food waste pilot program involving local restaurants and hotels — an example of how tourism can help drive change within local business systems.

Economic Resilience Is Climate Resilience

As climate impacts intensify, mountain towns are also reconsidering their economic dependence on tourism — particularly winter tourism.

Communities are exploring ways to diversify, including arts and cultural programming, special events, and year-round experiences.

At the same time, risks like wildfire remain a major concern. Johnson pointed to a past example in Durango, where wildfire disrupted a key tourism asset:“It has literally shut down… the train was stopped… that had a huge economic impact,” she said.

The takeaway is clear: climate resilience is inseparable from economic resilience.

The Path Forward

Tourism organizations are uniquely positioned to influence visitor behavior, convene stakeholders, and help align economic activity with community goals.

As mountain towns look ahead, the role of tourism is evolving — from simply attracting visitors to helping protect the places they come to experience.

Key Takeaways for Mountain Towns

Plan for climate volatility: Build strategies that account for changing snowpack, drought, wildfire, and shifting demand.

Real talk from ski industry leaders on the winter that wasn’t: “We can take the profile of this issue to a whole new level

By Anna Robertson

“It was dire.”

That was how one outdoor industry leader categorized this winter at a frank conversation among leaders in the ski industry at the Progression conference, an event that connects investors, founders, and thought leaders to drive climate impact.

In a talk titled, “Where’s all the snow?” moderated by Mountain Towns 2030 Executive Director Chris Steinkamp , ski industry leaders talked about the real economic impacts of climate change on their businesses – while also discussing the opportunity to create change through innovative technologies, education, and athlete activation.

“We had a pretty significant impact on sales,” Backcountry CEO Kevin Lenau shared about the impact of this year’s lackluster snow season, citing a significant downturn in revenue.

Sophie Goldschmidt , CEO of the US Ski and Snowboard Team added that climate change is increasing costs for their organization as they pivoted to change venues or adjust to get athletes the time they need on snow. “Flexibility comes at a high cost and investment,” she explained. “On the training side and the competition side, it’s having a material impact on us.”

How this winter changed the ski industry

Lenau said the lack of snow has led Backcountry to diversify into other sports, but he believes the situation is “actually worse than it looks,” adding, “Even though you can still ski, it’s going to become more and more expensive as smaller resorts aren’t going to be able to pay for the snowmaking necessary to stay open. As the supply shrinks, you’re going to have less young people and less people coming into the sport. It’s dire.”

Raj Basi Raj B., VP of Sustainability for POWDR, which owns ski resorts like Copper Mountain and Snowbird as well as training facilities like Woodward and concessions in national parks, said that adapting to uncertain conditions was a logistical challenge.

Lack of snow this year forced them to “revisit planning structures and hiring structures to be  more dynamic.” They’ve also been looking to create more alternatives for guests who visit their mountains. “You can’t expect things to be the way they were 30 years ago,” he said. “Expectations have to change and we have to come to terms with that reality. There’s also a lot of opportunity for innovation.

Looking toward the future

One positive outcome Lenau described is increasing innovation in more sustainable materials and technology, as well as a stronger interest from consumers around sustainability in their purchasing decisions.

“Our consumer really cares about these problems… We are seeing search trends on sustainability, recycled, organic materials increasing,” he said, adding, “It’s great to see another revolution in material science that is really moving us forward.”

While technology can help address climate change, Goldschmidt says we have to move quickly.

“We still can slow down what’s happening and in some instances, I believe, reverse it, with new technologies,” she said. “But we don’t want to wait for that. We need to impact it right away. I think people have maybe been lulled into a false sense of security because the past few years we’ve had great snow years.”

If we don’t address the impacts of climate change, she warned, “in 10-20 years time, our ski season will be a lot shorter.”

Goldschmidt sees a huge opportunity to affect change tied to the Olympic Games coming to  Park City, Utah in 2034.

“Let’s use the next 8 years to educate about the issue we have, which is dire, but what we need to do to impact it,” she suggested. “There are things everybody in this country can be doing to make a difference, and we can take the profile of this issue to a whole new level.”

That might include mobilizing athletes and their platforms. “Our athletes authentically care about this, they’ve been pushing us to do more,” she said. “They are absolute key stakeholders to help us to market some of what we can do, but also some of the challenges. No one should be in the dark about the situation.”

Brad Chedister, Head of Project Orion from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee called for collaboration and innovation.

“It is an existential threat, it is very serious. But let’s be a little more optimistic on the tech side,” he said. “We win together. We need to set up purposeful ecosystems that collaborate with each other.”

That’s the mission of Mountain Towns 2030, which helped seed the Mountain Collaborative, an effort among the four largest ski resorts to share solutions across their organizations.

Combining that collaboration with consumer awareness could be a key unlock, Basi added. “We have millions of people visiting our locations who are receptive to climate messaging every day.”

31 Mountain Community Leaders Send Letter to Congress: “Protect Our Tax Incentives”

This week, we sent a letter to the House Ways & Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee and key Congressional staff, signed by 31 mountain community leaders, urging them to protect the IRA tax incentives that have been so valuable to our communities. “We, the 31 undersigned local leaders from mountain and rural communities, write to urge you to preserve critical tax incentives that strengthen our communities’ economies and electrical grids, support local job creation, and provide financial relief to our residents.”

Thank you to everyone who joined this letter. We appreciate your leadership and MT2030 will continue to elevate our voices to elected officials until these critical tax incentives are protected.

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How to turn HOAs into climate action superheroes: “HOAs have immense power”

Over 75 million Americans live in communities managed by Homeowners Associations, or HOAs – so what if those communities could be activated to take positive climate action?

That’s exactly what has happened in one community, creating a model that could benefit neighborhoods, individuals, and the planet.

In a presentation at the Mountain Towns 2030 conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a group of leaders from Big Sky, Montana shared their success “turning HOAs into climate action superheroes” with hundreds of leaders from mountain towns.

HOAs govern critical areas like waste collection, water usage, landscaping, and energy infrastructure—all of which have substantial implications for greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, HOAs are often overlooked in climate strategies.

“HOAs have immense power within their domains,” said Jerry Tinianow, founder of WestUrb and former Chief Sustainability Officer for Denver, Colorado. “The challenge is helping them see that power as an opportunity for climate action.”

In Big Sky, Montana, over 100 HOAs came together to align with the region’s climate action plan. The Big Sky Owners Association, represented in the panel by Emma Lawler, manages over 8,000 acres and 2,400 properties, and rolled out a series of sustainability initiatives, including:

“By bringing HOAs together, we created a shared sense of purpose. Now, they’re not just part of the community—they’re leaders in its sustainability journey,” said. Lizzie Peyton,  Executive Director, Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization.

Peyton emphasized that HOAs need to see themselves as integral to the broader community’s climate goals. Collaboration and education are the foundation of this transformation.

But it’s not always easy to make change within an HOA. Some of the challenges include:

The panelists said financial incentives and education are keys to success.

“Education is key. Once board members understand that sustainability can save money and build community, their resistance starts to fade,” said Gabrielle Fuerst, Chief Sustainability Officer, CAP Management.

Lawler also emphasized the value of incentives, such as waiving fees for homeowners who implement sustainable upgrades.

The panelists provided a playbook for making HOAs powerful allies in climate solutions, including:

The Big Sky model demonstrates that HOAs are not just regulators—they can be leaders in building sustainable communities. With education, collaboration, and targeted initiatives, HOAs can transform from passive stakeholders to proactive partners in climate action.

“HOAs don’t have to be obstacles. They can be our greatest allies in building a sustainable future,” Tinianow said.

Watch the panel

Making environmentalism nonpartisan again: “It’s about common ground”

When it comes to making climate issues less polarizing, finding common ground based around shared values and approachable language can help move the conversation forward.

In a conversation at the Mountain Towns 2030 conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Benjamin (Benji) Backer , chairman and co-founder of the largest right-of-center environmental organization, the American Conservation Coalition (ACC), and Anna Robertson , co-founder of The Cool Down discussed strategies to bridge ideological gaps within local communities and make environmentalism a truly bipartisan cause.

Backer is a lifelong conservative who has dedicated his career to reclaiming environmentalism as a bipartisan cause, and Robertson is the co-founder of The Cool Down, which reaches over 30 million people monthly with ways to save money, live healthier, and help the planet.

Backer and Robertson kicked off the session by exploring the current polarization in climate discussions. They emphasized the universal need for clean air, water, and sustainable resources, framing environmentalism as a cause that should unite rather than divide.

“Environmentalism is not about choosing sides; it’s about choosing a healthier planet for everyone,” Robertson said, setting the tone for the session.

Backer added, “It’s not that conservatives don’t care about the environment—it’s about how the issue has been framed. When we focus on conservation and stewardship, we find common ground.”

Backer shared insights into the power of language in climate advocacy, noting that terms like “climate change” can be politically charged. Instead, focusing on “conservation” or “stewardship” resonates more with conservative communities.

“It’s not about convincing people to care—they already do,” he said, “It’s about using language that aligns with their values.”

Robertson highlighted the importance of local action. Through The Cool Down, she has worked to empower communities to adopt practical solutions, such as reducing energy consumption, adopting renewable energy, and implementing waste reduction programs.

Backer agreed – while federal policies matter, he said, it’s at the local level that change truly begins. “Communities that rely on natural resources for their economy have the most to gain from sustainable practices.”

Backer shared the success story of ACC, which has grown to 55,000 members by fostering dialogue across political lines. “Our movement is proof that conservative voices can play a leading role in environmental advocacy,” he said.

A key barrier to bipartisan climate action is misinformation. Backer shared his experiences in conservative communities, where skepticism often stems from distrust in proposed solutions rather than denial of environmental problems.

“Many people care deeply about their environment, but they’re wary of solutions that feel imposed or at odds with their way of life,” he said. Education and trust-building, he argued, are essential for progress.

Robertson added, “Vilifying others doesn’t help the cause. We need to focus on shared goals and make climate action accessible to everyone.”

The session also featured examples of successful initiatives that bridged political divides:

These stories underscored that impactful climate action often transcends political ideologies when framed around local benefits and shared values.

The session ended with a call to action for attendees to embrace inclusive advocacy and support initiatives that bring diverse voices to the table. Backer shared his vision for Nature Is Nonpartisan, an initiative aiming to build bipartisan coalitions that prioritize environmental stewardship.

“This isn’t about changing ideologies—it’s about finding common ground,” Backer said. “The environment is something we all share. It should be the ultimate unifier.”

<Watch the full session here >