2026 SCCRF Highlights
2026 SCCRF Highlight Reel
Video: Americano Pictures
The 2026 South Central Climate Resilience Forum (SCCRF) was held from April 15-17, 2024, at the La Quinta Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.
Like it’s predecessor, the Forum focused on fostering meaningful dialogue on climate resilience and adaptation across Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. This was the second event of its kind in the south-central region.
Watch the highlight reel, then see below for a full recap of the event, including who was there, the topics that were covered, and a selection of photos from the event.
Back for Round Two
The goal of the 2026 SCCRF was to build on the momentum from the 2024 inaugural Forum, continuing to strengthen the understanding of the climate-related challenges facing the region and to continue growing a network of dedicated individuals advancing climate resilience across the south-central U.S.
The program featured individual presentations, symposia, workshops, and new interactive elements, including site visits around San Antonio, highlighting resources, research, tools, knowledge, and real-world applications of climate resilience. The Forum welcomed approximately 175 attendees from a wide range of disciplines, creating opportunities for collaboration, information exchange, and networking.
2026 Forum Feedback
“Topics covered were applicable to a wide variety of professions/interest groups. Talks were an excellent balance of technical expertise and real world applications.”
-SCCRF Survey Respondent
“I’ve come away feeling truly inspired to take these strategies back to my community to affect meaningful change. It was an invaluable experience for anyone dedicated to building a more resilient future.”
-SCCRF Survey Respondent
“Good opportunities to network and to meet kindred souls in the resilience space! Good way to get recharged.”
-SCCRF Survey Respondent
San Antonio - Our 2026 Host City
Located in the heart of downtown, the 2026 SCCRF occurred at the La Quinta Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX. Members from the City of San Antonio Office of Resilience and Sustainability were an integral component of the 2026 SCCRF Planning Committee. Like Dallas, San Antonio was another ideal location to host an event of this kind.
The City of San Antonio has outlined and begun implementing multiple strategies for mitigating climate-related challenges and adapting to climate impacts in their SA Climate Ready plan.
“San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. We are working to plan for and accommodate an estimated one million additional residents that will be living in our community by 2040. It is our collective responsibility to prepare for a future that is projected to have hotter temperatures, longer droughts and more intense rain events…
…Throughout the SA Climate Ready process, people from across our community have helped craft a sustainable approach by examining best practices and policies concerning how we build; how we power our homes, cars and businesses; how we travel; how we conserve water and green space; how we reduce air pollution; and, perhaps most importantly, how we take care of our most vulnerable neighbors.”
- Former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, SA Climate Ready Plan.
The San Antonio Skyline showcases the intersection between human infrastructure and the natural environment.
The 2026 SCCRF was held at the La Quinta Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk.
Photo Source: La Quinta Inn & Suites San Antonio Riverwalk
SCCRF 2026 - Reaching Beyond Just Five States. Twelve To Be Exact.
SCCRF Isn’t Just An Event - It’s A Community
Nearly 175 representatives from across the region and beyond joined us in San Antonio. These individuals hailed from a variety of sectors, disciplines, and specialties:
Academia (35% of attendees)
Private Sector (25% of attendees)
Federal, State, & Local Government (22% of attendees)
Non-Profit Organizations (18% of attendees)
Photos: Hey Miss Mae Photography
A Conversation on Climate, Community, and Collaboration (Keynote Event)
On Day 1 of the Forum, our keynote event focused on two important questions:
How do communities in the south-central U.S. overcome challenges to build resilience to weather and climate impacts?
How do we work together to accomplish shared goals and effectively drive community resilience work forward?
This keynote event brought together three diverse speakers across differing sectors to answer these questions. Through stories of resilience and perseverance, the conversation highlighted both the barriers communities face and the opportunities to address them. Our speakers shared their experiences and lessons learned to inspire actionable ideas for strengthening climate resilience and advancing collaborative efforts to reduce risk and increase preparedness.
Speakers:
Colette Pichon Battle (Taproot Earth)
Nicole Alderete-Ferrini (City of Pecos, TX)
Adam Parris (ICF)
Photos: Hey Miss Mae Photography
Reflecting on the 2025 Hill Country Floods: Science, Community, and the Path Forward (Featured Panel)
This panel on Day 2 of the Forum provided a thoughtful and comprehensive examination of the July 2025 Texas Hill Country floods. By bringing together experts from a variety of fields providing their own unique perspectives, the session offered a multidisciplinary understanding of the event and its aftermath. The moderator guided the panelists through a structured exploration of the flooding event, from the meteorological conditions leading up to it, the disaster support efforts and policy developments that followed, and considerations for future resilience.
Panelists:
Erin Cavazos (Engineering Manager, San Antonio River Authority)
Dr. Monty Dozier (Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Disaster Assessment and Recovery Team)
Sam Marie Hermitte (Assistant Deputy Executive Administrator of Water Science & Conservation, Texas Water Development Board)
Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (Texas State Climatologist, Texas A&M University)
Moderator: Alex Garcia (Chief Meteorologist, KABB Fox 29 San Antonio)
Photos: Hey Miss Mae Photography
Field Trips - Climate and Cultural Resilience in Action Across San Antonio
While discussions within the Forum are invaluable in our work to build a more resilient future, seeing first-hand many of the practical solutions and responses covered at SCCRF adds another dimension to SCCRF’s impact on its attendees and the communities they serve.
By examining how water, infrastructure, and culture intersect in practice, attendees gained insight into approaches that support both environmental and community well‑being. These field trips extended conference themes beyond the meeting room, offering tangible examples that can inform resilience work in other regions.
2026 SCCRF Field Trip Locations:
San Pedro Creek Culture Park Tour
Credit Human Headquarters Tour
The Alamo
Photos: 2026 SCCRF Planning Committee
Program - What Else Did We Talk About?
The 2026 SCCRF hosted over 100 presenters across 20 sessions and 10 interactive workshops, which shaped the Forum through diverse and engaging content.
Session topics included, amongst others:
Built Environment & Infrastructure
Planning & Policy
Disaster Recovery
Nature-based Solutions
Engagement/Outreach
Climate & Physical Science
The 2026 SCCRF highlighted the strength of interdisciplinary, regional collaboration and the value of connecting research with practice. Through presentations, discussions, hands‑on workshops, and field trips across San Antonio, participants explored both persistent challenges and emerging opportunities for advancing resilience, all while navigating complex and rapidly evolving challenges.
The Forum continued and expanded the momentum across the region and encouraged attendees to apply what they learned, maintain connections, and take actionable steps toward a more resilient future, together.
