Last updated: November 2024
Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to the extensive use of concrete and asphalt, higher levels of pollution, increased population densities, and the concentration of infrastructure, all of which amplify the effects of extreme heat, drought, and severe weather. Urban tree cover play a vital role in helping cities mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gases and alleviating the effects of extreme heat and other climate alterations that negatively impact human health. In 2023, dozens of volunteers from Bethune Elementary School planted 33 trees on the school grounds to provide future shade and help cool the environment. The project was funded by Arizona’s Public Service (APS) Community Tree Program, which aims to reduce the urban heat island effect by increasing tree canopy coverage in vulnerable communities. The initiative was driven by Trees Matter, a local nonprofit organization focused on enhancing tree infrastructure in schools while educating students and staff on the importance of trees and tree care. Involving children in the tree planting process allows them to take what they’ve learned in textbooks and apply it in real-life situations, while also fostering a sense of community and belonging. This hands-on involvement not only educates but also creates lasting memories. The project’s goal is to combat the urban heat island effect by expanding tree canopy coverage, thus creating cooler, healthier shaded spaces for students in areas of Phoenix most affected by high temperatures. With support from APS and Trees Matter, the volunteers worked together to plant trees that will provide much-needed shade on the school campus. APS’s Community Tree Program aims to provide shade and cooler spaces in neighborhoods that need it most, helping to reduce temperatures by 20 to 45 degrees. This effort is part of a broader initiative to improve the quality of life and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat in Phoenix (1-5).
Volunteers and Students taking part in tree planting at Mary McLeod Bethune School
APS
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Green playgrounds and school grounds
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Climate change mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Improving physical health
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social justice and equity
- Environmental education
- Sense of community and community engagement
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Climate-Related Hazards
- Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Loss of sense of place and identity
Key priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Social Justice and community
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of any other green urban spaces, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs
Project objectives
The goals defined for the NBS intervention at Bethune School were:
1. Increase tree canopy cover: To provide shade and cooler spaces on the campus, helping to reduce the heat island effect , carbon sequestration and access to green space (1-5).
2. Promote environmental education: The tree planting project offered students to learn hands-on about environmental sustainability, the importance of trees and improved community engagement (1).
3. Improve the aesthetic appeal of the school: Trees can enhance the visual appeal of the campus, creating a more pleasant environment for students and staff to promote physical well-being (1).
Implementation activities
The tree planting project at Bethune School addresses several pressing issues, including the urban heat island effect, educational gaps, and a lack of connection to nature for young children. To tackle these challenges, the project carried out a series of key implementation activities.
First, site selection was guided by the Trees Matter Tree Prioritization Map, which identified Bethune School as being located in a high-need, vulnerable area, making it an ideal candidate for the project.
Next, tree species selection focused on choosing trees that would have a positive impact on both the environment and the school community. A variety of species, including desert willows, red push pistache, and acacias, were chosen for their ability to provide year-round shade, enhance mental health, and improve the school’s aesthetic value.
The project culminated in the planting of 33 trees on the school grounds, providing much-needed shade and cooling the area for students and staff.
Finally, community involvement played a crucial role in the success of the project. Dozens of volunteers, including students and staff from Bethune Elementary School, along with partners from Trees Matter and Arizona Public Service (APS), worked together to plant the trees, creating a sense of community and connection while adding shade to the campus.
(1-5)
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect
Climate change mitigation:
- Increase the availability of green urban space for carbon storage (street tree cover)
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Low-income neighborhoods, Urban heat islands, Minority or marginalized ethnic groups
Main beneficiaries
- Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
- Young people and children
- Marginalized groups: Children, young people or youth groups , Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed), Disadvantaged ethnic or racial groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Trees Matter, a non-governmental organization (NGO), played a central role in implementing the project. They worked closely with schools and local communities to identify suitable locations, select appropriate tree species, and coordinate the planting efforts, ensuring the project met environmental and educational goals.
Arizona Public Service (APS), a utility company, provided significant support through grant funding and program resources. Dozens of volunteers, including students and staff from Bethune Elementary School, along with partners from Trees Matter and Arizona Public Service (APS), worked together to plant the trees.
Bethune Elementary School itself also played an essential role in the project. Volunteers from the school, including students and staff, participated in the tree planting, providing a valuable hands-on learning experience about environmental sustainability while contributing positively to the community. (1, 5)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(Trees for kids bill (5) )
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Phoenix Tree and Shade Masterplan (5). )
Type of enablers
NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Corporate investment
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Expected lowered local temperature
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Expected enhanced carbon sequestration
- Green space and habitat
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Improved physical health
- Expected improved physical health
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
- Expected increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
- Safety
- Improved community safety to climate-related hazards
- Expected improved community safety to climate-related hazards
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
AZFamily Digital News Staff (2023). Phoenix elementary students plant trees for Arbor Day. [Source link];
2.
@apsFYI (2023). @apsFYI Apr 29, 2023 X Post . [Source link];
3.
Arizona Public Service (n.d.). Community Tree Program. [Source link];
4.
Frederico, J. (n.d.). In low-income Phoenix neighborhoods, the lack of shade trees is a question of equity. [Source link];
5.
Trees Matter (n.d.). Trees for Schools. [Source link];
6.
Devoid, A. (n.d.). Here's how heat discriminates, and what Phoenix is doing to help those at risk. [Source link];
7.
MAG (n.d.). Arizona Demographics . [Source link];
Bethune Elementary School Tree Planting
https://www.instagram.com/keshaforphoenix/p/Crmqk8RoFCy/?api=1%2F&hl=zh-cn&img_index=4
Bethune Elementary School Tree Planting
https://www.instagram.com/keshaforphoenix/p/Crmqk8RoFCy/?api=1%2F&hl=zh-cn&img_index=4
Bethune Elementary School Tree Planting
https://www.instagram.com/keshaforphoenix/p/Crmqk8RoFCy/?api=1%2F&hl=zh-cn&img_index=4
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.