FLAGSTAFF — Navajo Nation President Nygren attended the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Expo 2026 on Tuesday, April 28, held at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, where he delivered the official Welcome Address to open the multi-day event.
The expo brought together Navajo Nation leadership, program directors, and community stakeholders. The event showcases the ongoing work, initiatives, and future priorities under the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources, led by Executive Division Director Mike Halona.
In his address, President Nygren emphasized the scale and responsibility of managing the Navajo Nation’s nearly 17 million acres of land.
“When we talk about natural resources on the Navajo Nation, we are really talking about responsibility at a massive scale,” President Nygren said.
President Nygren pointed to measurable progress made since 2023, including:
- Over 4,500 homesite leases approved, helping families move closer to homeownership
- More than 3,500 windmills repaired, along with 51 new stock tanks and 118 restored earthen dams
- 10 new wells drilled and 26 miles of livestock waterline constructed
- 38 miles of irrigation systems restored along the San Juan River to support agricultural production
He also spoke on key economic and environmental achievements. Millions generated through carbon credits, wool production initiatives supporting Navajo producers, and continued land restoration efforts such as abandoned mine reclamation and range improvements.
Throughout the expo, various DNR programs presented on critical topics impacting the Navajo Nation, including:
- Homesite lease processes and land access
- Rights-of-way, service line agreements, and infrastructure authorization
- Grazing regulations and land use permits
- Animal control laws and regulations
- Cultural and historic preservation efforts
- Water rights and long-term water resource planning
President Nygren also outlined forward-looking commitments, including expanding water access, strengthening local chapter planning, streamlining project approvals, and advancing the development of a Navajo Nation Energy Office.
“Behind every homesite lease is a family preparing to build. Behind every mile of waterline is a community gaining access to a basic necessity,” President Nygren said. “Our responsibility is to keep improving the system so we can move projects forward while protecting the land that sustains us.”
Additional presentations continued into the second day, showcasing the depth of work being carried out across DNR programs to support communities and strengthen resource management across the Nation.
The DNR Expo 2026 reflects this year’s theme, “Preservation Through Innovation”. Bringing together policy, infrastructure, and collaboration to ensure sustainable growth and long-term stewardship of Navajo Nation resources.
