Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California is proud to welcome its current cohort of Tribal Climate Fellows through the California Climate Action Corps (CCAC), continuing a five-year partnership that has strengthened the Tribe’s environmental programs, community engagement, and Suchumumu Tribal Farm.
California Climate Action Corps is a Governor’s initiative national service program led by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, and implemented by Bay Area Community Resources (BACR). The program is dedicated to advancing climate action by engaging community members, cultivating change, and creating lasting impact.
CCAC is part of a larger statewide initiative addressing the climate crisis by placing emerging leaders with public agencies, nonprofits, tribal communities, and educational institutions. Fellows help mobilize communities through volunteer engagement, climate action, and educational service projects focused on areas such as urban greening, organic waste and edible food recovery, and wildfire resilience.
Tribal Climate Fellowship at Chicken Ranch Rancheria
At Chicken Ranch Rancheria, Tribal Climate Fellows play an important role in supporting and co-managing programs within the Tribe’s Environment, Community and Sustainability (ECS) Department.
Fellows support composting and edible food recovery efforts on Tribal lands, wildfire resilience through cultural fire, the growth of Suchumumu Tribal Farm, and environmental education at Little Peeps. Educational programming introduces topics such as revitalizing green spaces, the importance of composting and edible food recovery, and protecting native ecosystems.
Fellows also assist with the planning and execution of the Honoring Mother Earth Celebration; a two-day event that has been co-organized by both Chicken Ranch Rancheria and Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuks for the past 4 years. In addition to this important event, the Fellows help with organizing regular volunteer opportunities on and off Tribal lands.
This year marks the fifth-year Chicken Ranch Rancheria has hosted Tribal Climate Fellows. Each cohort has helped establish a strong foundation for the Tribe’s climate and environmental programs while expanding the ECS Department’s capacity to grow and advance its work. Every new term brings different perspectives, experiences, skills, energy, and enthusiasm.
Meet the Current Tribal Climate Fellows
Christina Nguyen
Hailing from Orange County, Christina Nguyen returns to Chicken Ranch Rancheria as its first second-term Tribal Climate Fellow, bringing both experience and strong leadership to the role. Christina holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from UC Merced. Her work focuses on strengthening the Tribe’s edible food recovery and composting programs, supporting Suchumumu Tribal Farm, and providing environmental education at Little Peeps. During her second term, Christina is also excited to expand her knowledge of cultural fire and ecological restoration.
Hanna Nunnelley
Born and raised in Sonora, Hanna Nunnelley brings a strong connection to Tuolumne County and an enthusiasm for putting her local knowledge to work for meaningful climate action. Hanna holds a bachelor’s degree in Games and Playable Media from UC Santa Cruz. She looks forward to combining the skills developed through her studies with her experience growing up in the Sierra Foothills to support innovative, community-centered climate initiatives.
Mia Roque
Mia is from Los Angeles and brings education and experience in urban greening, community gardening, environmental justice, food sovereignty, and environmental education. Mia holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara. During her final year as an undergraduate, she served as a liaison to the American Indians and Indigenous Student Association, helping facilitate respectful, culturally relevant interactions concerning Chumash lands. She brings this experience and her passion for environmental stewardship and food sovereignty to her fellowship with Chicken Ranch Rancheria.
Growing the Fellowship and the Farm
Suchumumu Tribal Farm represents an important part of the Fellows’ hands-on work. Through the farm and related ECS initiatives, Fellows contribute to efforts that connect food systems, environmental education, land stewardship, and community involvement.
Over five years, Tribal Climate Fellows have helped these programs develop and expand. The contributions of each cohort have built upon those who served before them, creating greater capacity for the ECS Department and helping initiatives such as Suchumumu Tribal Farm, composting, edible food recovery, environmental education, and wildfire resilience continue to grow into programs with greater capacity to serve the Tribe and its lands.
Chicken Ranch Rancheria is grateful to welcome Christina, Hanna, and Mia and looks forward to the knowledge, creativity, and dedication they will bring to this year’s efforts. Through its continued partnership with California Climate Action Corps, California Volunteers, and Bay Area Community Resources, the Tribe looks forward to creating lasting climate action while strengthening its environmental programs for generations to come.