Chronic heat and extreme heat events present complex challenges for the U.S. Southwest. While much attention has focused on how cities are addressing heat risks—through mitigation strategies like urban forestry and cool corridors, or management efforts such as cooling centers—there has been far less focus on rural, tribal, and border communities. These communities face distinct vulnerabilities and often operate under different governance structures and different access to resources. The objectives of this research are to document heat impacts in rural, tribal, and border communities; explore existing and emerging governance strategies for rural heat resilience; and collaborate with community partners to develop practical solutions to heat-related issues.
