The Navajo Nation Rangeland Survey is a critical environmental and land management initiative designed to assess the health, usage, and sustainability of rangelands across the Navajo Nation’s vast territory. These lands support traditional livestock grazing, ecological diversity, and cultural practices that are deeply rooted in Navajo life.

Carrying capacity survey assesses the ability of a specific land area to sustainably support human activities, livestock, or wildlife without causing environmental degradation. It evaluates factors like:

* Vegetation cover
* Soil health and erosion
* Water availability
* Grazing intensity
* Wildlife populations
* Infrastructure stress (roads, housing, waste systems)

Carrying capacity surveys are essential for sustainable land and resource management on the Navajo Reservation. These surveys assess how much human activity—such as livestock grazing, agriculture, or development—the land can support without causing environmental harm. Overgrazing and drought have led to serious issues like soil erosion and vegetation loss across parts of the reservation, threatening both ecological health and traditional Navajo livelihoods. By identifying the land’s natural limits, carrying capacity surveys help guide responsible grazing, water use, and development, ensuring that land use practices remain in balance with the environment. They also support tribal sovereignty by providing the Navajo Nation with the data needed to make informed decisions about land management, climate adaptation, and cultural preservation. Ultimately, these surveys are a key tool for protecting the land and way of life for current and future generations.

Large block survey that supported BIA’s efforts to reduce fire risk through fuels reduction.

Reagan Smith archaeology team recorded:

* Sacred sites and ceremonial grounds
* Burial sites
* Petroglyphs, pictographs, and rock art
* Traditional cultural properties (TCPs) as defined by tribes
* Historic buildings
* Archaeological sites
* Cultural landscapes with ongoing spiritual or traditional significance

Cultural resources surveys are vital for identifying, documenting, and protecting sites of historical, spiritual, and cultural significance. These surveys help locate important resources such as ancient dwellings, ceremonial sites, burial grounds, petroglyphs, and traditional use areas. By conducting these assessments before construction or land development, communities can prevent the destruction of sacred or historically significant places. Cultural resources surveys also support the preservation of oral histories and traditional knowledge tied to the land, strengthening cultural identity and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Importantly, they ensure that Indigenous communities have a leading role in managing and protecting their cultural heritage. Overall, these surveys are essential for maintaining the spiritual, historical, and cultural integrity of the land while guiding responsible development.

Reagan Smith prepared a Historic Eligibility Report for the historic Casa Blanca Community School located in Bpchule, Arizona on the Gila River Indian Reservation.

The Casa Blanca Indian School was originally established in the early 20th century as part of the broader federal Indian boarding school system aimed at educating Native American children.

Like many Indian boarding schools, it was initially designed to assimilate Native youth into mainstream American culture, often at the expense of their own languages and traditions.

By mid-century, Casa Blanca became a key educational institution on the Gila River Reservation, though facilities were aging and overcrowded.

Throughout these decades, the school began to incorporate more tribal cultural elements into its curriculum, reflecting the growing Native American self-determination movement.

The transformation of Casa Blanca Indian School from a federal boarding school model to a tribally-controlled community school marks an important chapter in Native education reform.

It represents sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and the commitment of the Gila River Indian Community to provide quality education that honors their traditions and prepares youth for the future.