1-year $40,000 Grant (2024)

Tó Nizhóní Ání - Black Mesa, AZ

Watershed Restoration on Black Mesa

Tó Nizhóní Ání, which translates to “Sacred Water Speaks,” is a Diné-led nonprofit organization established in 2001. The organization originates from the Big Mountain community on Dził Yíjiin (the Black Mesa region). It was formed in the spirit of the Diné elders who fought to protect Black Mesa and bring power back to Diné communities impacted by coal.

In 2005, Tó Nizhóní Ání led efforts to end the industrial use of the Navajo Aquifer—Black Mesa's only source of potable water—from Peabody Coal Company. Today, TNA continues to protect water and bring power back to the Diné communities impacted by coal while leading community transition away from fossil fuels.

The Foundation’s award of $40,000 will help TNA implement the very first phase of their initiative – planning and training in the Tsiyi’tó area of the Oraibi watershed. Restoration work in Tsiyi’tó Wash is a pilot project and the workforce trained will be mobilized to continue restoration in additional tributaries, which is the overall goal. Geomorphic conditions will be assessed during a 4-day site assessment with Natural Channel Design Engineering (NCDE) staff and local land users, to guide concept restoration plans. Concept plans will be accompanied by two days of focused structure construction up and downstream of the Tsiyi’tó spring. Groundwater monitoring devices will be installed directly above and below the spring to relate changes in surface and groundwater flows. A local intern workforce will be involved in every stage of the fieldwork and trained to continue building rock erosion control structures in additional tributaries of the Tsiyi’tó wash.