February 2025

Tracking California and Tribal partners launch project to monitor air quality and strengthen drought resilience in Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma Counties

There are 26 federally recognized Pomo Tribes and at least 9 other Tribal groups in Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties.The Tribes are concerned about the effects of climate change and the health of communities during rising temperatures, drought, water shortages, and wildfires.

Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma-Tribal Resilience Initiative on Air Quality & Drought (MLS-TRIAD) is a collaboration between Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, and Tracking California, and focuses on improving resilience through air quality monitoring and strengthening existing drought action plans.

Project Activities

Tribes in the region will be offered Purple Air monitors that can be used to measure particulate matter air pollution outdoors or indoors. With better access to real-time air quality information, Tribes will be able to make informed decisions to reduce exposure to air pollution and protect health, such as during periods of wildfire smoke or while monitoring cultural burns.

Project partners will also review existing drought action plans and assess opportunities to make recommendations/improvements to those plans.

Project Funder

MLS-TRIAD is supported by the Regional Resilience Grant Program Implemented by the California Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.

Seeking an Environmental Health Leader

Tracking California is seeking a new Director to provide strategic leadership and scientific direction for its interdisciplinary team.

We are seeking a leader who combines strong scientific credentials and a fundraising track record with an interest in advancing our work at the intersection of environmental health research and climate change.

Ideal candidates will bring vision, leadership, and a commitment to environmental justice and community empowerment through science and collaboration.

Applications received by March 1st 2025, will be given preference in the review process.

The job announcement can be found here >

Partner spotlight: Meet Ruben Rodriguez, Community Member, EJ Advocate & Community Organizer

Ruben previously worked for the oil industry and for other major corporations in the Valley.

He realized that some of the companies were reckless and disregarded the environment and their harmful impact on local communities.

"I wanted to make sure that I brought that to light, to not be part of that cover up cause you're either part of the solution or part of the problem. I wanted to be part of that solution."

Read Ruben's story here >

Tracking in the news: Catherine Carpenter reflects on her experience analyzing drinking water data

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Residents in Los Angeles have been warned not to drink tap water due to concerns of potential contamination from wildfires.

Reflecting on her experience analyzing drinking water data following the Camp Fire in 2018, Tracking California's Catherine Carpenter highlights the need for homeowners to continue testing their water to ensure it is contaminant free.

"It was almost a year after, but we were still finding high levels of benzene in the tap water."

Read the full article here >

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Tracking California, formerly the California Environmental Health Tracking Program, is a program of the Public Health Institute in partnership with the California Department of Public Health. Tracking California is part of a national initiative coordinated by the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program.

This publication was supported by the Cooperative Agreement Number NUE1EH001489, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.