In this midst of the west's historic drought, there are many ways people are saving water: washing their cars less, taking shorter showers, cutting back on how often they turn on the sprinkler.

But in Madera County, California, not far from Yosemite, the North Fork Mono Indians are employing a unique tactic.

They're saving water by cutting down trees.

Tribal Chair Ron Goode explains that thinning forests means more water can flow to meadows.