James Calabaza

Born and raised in New Mexico, James comes with direct experience working with Tribes and understanding the traditional knowledge and processes as it pertains to their unique values and systems. After working with the government sector, James realized his heart belongs to the nonprofit world.
James is Director of the Indigenous Lands Program at Trees, Water & People. James engages and works with U.S. Tribal Nations on efforts centered around community-based, Tribal-led stewardship projects that create economic and environmental development opportunities. In his role, James provides much needed insight and experience on working with Tribal governments that uphold traditional ethics of governance and leadership, while also respecting Tribal sovereignty. His deep rooted experiences and cultural values strengthens TWP’s approach in building honest, working relationships with Tribes and promoting cross-cultural values of landscape conservation.

Workshop Speaker

Trees, Gardens and People: Embedding Agroforestry in the Web of Life

In this workshop, we’ll hear from team members of the Southwestern Tribal Agroforestry Outreach Project and what they’ve been learning about Indigenous-led agroforestry efforts in the Southwest – including the importance of collaboration, relationships, and storytelling, and how traditional ecological knowledge shapes agroforestry in this region. We’ll share videos and other educational materials highlighting agroforestry initiatives from Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute, Tewa Women United’s Healing Foods Oasis, and Santa Ana Pueblo’s Native Plant Nursery. And finally we’ll end in a discussion with participants to learn about your experiences, challenges and dreams for Southwestern agroforestry and silvopasture. This workshop is for anyone with interest or experience in agroforestry, Indigenous agriculture, traditional ecological knowledge and collaboration. Participants will walk away with knowledge about current Indigenous and non-Indigenous agroforestry efforts in the Southwest, how definitions of agroforestry do and don’t fit Southwestern Indigenous contexts, collaborations between Tribal and non-Tribal entities, and traditional ecological knowledge. We hope you walk away feeling inspired to connect with the land and foster healthy ecosystems and communities that include agroforestry practices!