An independent not-for-profit think tank | Registered under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act | Established April 2026
Where frontier science meets community resilience
Advancing Earth observation and building climate resilience through community engagement,
based out of Evergreen neighborhood, Calgary, Canada
Open Science
All research freely accessible
Sovereign AI-
Driven
Water-efficient AI tools meet Earth observation
Community-
Rooted
Global methods, local impact
The Evergreen Resilience Institute is an independent, not-for-profit research institution based in Calgary, Alberta. We investigate:
- how complex global environmental systems change;
- what causes them to change;
- the implications for local communities and ecosystems; and
- how to make local systems resilient to these changes
We use varied approaches, including leveraging the field observation networks using remote sensing, climate modeling and AI/ML workflows, as well as social science techniques such as narrative analysis, interviews, surveys, stakeholder consultations, and policy labs.
Founded by earth system science and environmental social science researchers with experience at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, University of Colorado Boulder, Arizona State University, and the World Bank, we bridge the gap between state-of-the-art Earth system science and local action — from global continental drying studies published in Science Advances to a community digital twin of the Bow River Basin.
Where frontier science meets community resilience
Local-to-Global Water Cycle Change
Quantifying how climate change and human activity are altering freshwater availability. Using multiple satellite missions to track:
- Groundwater depletion
- Water supply and demand changes
- Climate risks to society and ecosystems
Sovereign AI for Earth Observation
Developing free, open, local, and private AI/ML workflows with minimal water footprint to:
- Provide openly accessible, near-real-time data via digital twins
- Detecting emerging drought signals
- Building predictive tools for freshwater availability
Water & Food Policy
Investigating the governance and policy dimensions of water and food systems — from agricultural water sustainability and digital agriculture adoption in Alberta to stakeholder engagement in climate adaptation and the food-energy-water nexus.
Community Engagement
Translating science into local action through:
- Public engagement and connecting communities to the climate science shaping their landscapes
- Nature journaling workshops
- Providing tools to reduce water, food, and energy dependence
Researchers building resilience
Selected recent publications ↓
Hrishikesh A. Chandanpurkar, PhD
Founder & Director of Science
Earth system scientist studying global water cycle changes at multiple scales. PhD in Earth System Science from University of California, Irvine.
He has conducted research at/for The World Bank, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research, Global Institute for Water Security, and Arizona State University among others. His work has been published in journals such as Science Advances, Nature, PNAS, Geophysical Research Letters, and other leading journals. He has served as a reviewer for multiple NASA ROSES panels. He is a member of the Bow River Basin Council Science Committee.
Juhi Huda, PhD
Founder & Director of Policy & Engagement
Environmental social scientist studying how policy, governance, and communication intersect to shape environmental and agricultural outcomes. PhD in Environmental Studies from University of Colorado, Boulder.
She has conducted research at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD, Nepal), Great Basin Institute, FLAME University (India), and University of Calgary among others. Her work has been published in Review of Policy Research, Politics & Policy, and Journal of Rural Studies among others. She is a member of the Bow River Basin Council Legislation and Policy Committee.
Selected recent research from the founders
Selected from 40+ combined publications. Full lists on Google Scholar: Chandanpurkar · Huda
Mohajer, B., Famiglietti, J.S., Chandanpurkar, H.A., et al.
Key natural influences on groundwater storage changes in Central and Southern Arizona
Nature Scientific ReportsFeatured
Ishaque, H., Huda, J., & Lhermie, G.
Beyond cost-benefit: Governance, trust, and support in the adoption of digital agriculture technologies in Alberta, Canada
Journal of Rural Studies, 122, 103996Featured
Chandanpurkar, H.A., Famiglietti, J.S., Gopalan, K., Wiese, D.N., Wada, Y., Kakinuma, K., Reager, J.T., Zhang, F.
Unprecedented continental drying, shrinking freshwater availability, and increasing land contributions to sea level rise
Science Advances, 11, eadx0298Featured
Zhang, F., Borja-Vega, C., Chandanpurkar, H.A., et al.
Continental Drying: A Threat to Our Common Future
World Bank Policy ReportFeatured
Mambo, T., Nelson, F., Huda, J., Lhermie, G.
Identifying gaps and opportunities to promote regenerative agriculture in Alberta, Canada
Journal of Rural Studies, 119, 103748Featured
Rohde, M., ... Chandanpurkar, H.A., ... et al.
Groundwater-dependent ecosystem map exposes global dryland protection needs
Nature, 632, 101–107Featured
Collaborate with us
We welcome collaborations with researchers, communities, funding agencies, and organizations working on climate resilience, water systems, and food security.
General Inquiries
info@evergreenresilience.org
Director of Science
hrishi@evergreenresilience.org
Director of Policy & Engagement
juhi@evergreenresilience.org