Four Corners and Three Rivers

The Four Corners and Three Rivers (4C3R) Collaborative focuses on addressing challenges related to food sovereignty, the transition of the carbon economy, and water conflicts in the convergence of four states and three rivers. With partnerships including the Navajo Nation Tri-Chapters, it centers around principles of regional Food-Energy-Water Systems (rFEWS) to promote sovereignty in these essential resources.

River bend through deep canyon

Photo Credit: James St. John

Located at the convergence of both four states (NM, AZ, UT, and CO) and three rivers (San Juan, Animas, and La Plata rivers), the Four Corners and Three Rivers (4C3R) Collaborative is our newest addition to the Place-Based Collaborative family. This region exemplifies the challenges associated with food sovereignty, transformation of the carbon economy, and conflicts surrounding water use. The region is home to Navajo Nation, which has an area of 27,000 square miles (slightly larger than the state of West Virginia). It is also home to some of the nation’s largest coal, uranium, and metals mining operations, along with extensive oil and gas drilling. Like the rest of the southwestern U.S., the region has been gripped by severe drought for the past two decades, exacerbating water conflicts.

This emerging Collaborative includes several partnerships including the Navajo Nation Tri-Chapters, which includes the chapters of Counselor, Ojo Encino, and Torreon. This Collaborative is coalescing around the principles of regional Food-Energy-Water Systems (rFEWS), where food, energy, and water sovereignty are a central theme.

Primary Contacts

    Team Members