In Phoenix, extreme heat, limited water resources and inadequate forestry funding has created an environment with suboptimal canopy and shade coverage. Vulnerable and low income populations experience the most direct sun exposure, which can cause serious health effects.

The Phoenix Hub recognizes that trees can help reduce carbon in the air, mitigate the urban heat island effect, provide shade and in some instances, food. In order to increase shade coverage in more vulnerable areas, Shapers will work to plant trees in the greater Phoenix community and support the education of local schools. The hub has identified a site to literally “break ground” on the project. Shapers will provide and help plant fruit trees for a local school in a low income area that will be a part of their community garden. The garden will provide education and enrichment for the students. Details are still being worked out for a fall planting event and educational sessions with students for the school. We also have additional funding to help support planting trees at a second site. The hub will have discussions about potential locations for a second planting project.

The goals of our project are to form key partnerships, offset greenhouse gases, increase awareness and knowledge, and increase shade in the Phoenix Community. Over time, the hope is for trees to remain healthy to provide shade for a sustained period of time. Another long term goal is to enable the Phoenix Hub to identify sites of low shade equity and establish more planting events beyond the two that will be planned.

Through this project, the Phoenix hub has partnered with the Climate Reality Project, the Office of the Phoenix Vice Mayor, and Estrella Foothills Global Academy. As the events occur, the hub will track the total number of trees planted and the project partners will be able to capture both the greenhouse gas and shade metrics. Phoenix Shapers will keep track of the number of students that are taught and the number of community members who engage with the events and infographics.