urban forestry

Mission

To engage our volunteers in projects that sustainably contribute to increasing urban forestry in Arizona and to educate the public on the benefits of urban forestry, including carbon capture, decreasing the heat island effect, and cleaning the air.

Objectives

Current and Planned Projects

Phoenix Metro Urban Forestry Roundtable (Ongoing)

The Phoenix Metro Urban Forestry Roundtable consists of nonprofits, private sector entities, cities, county and state level representatives, and university stakeholder groups focused on solving the underlying challenges needed to improve the tree canopy in Arizona.

Over the next five years, the goal of the Roundtable is to work collaboratively to improve tree care and planting in Metro Phoenix in ways that will measurably mitigate urban heat island, improve local air quality and prioritize environmental and social justice outcomes through municipal and private investment in trees — particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods currently lacking tree canopy.

Tree Planting Program

AZSA’s tree planting program is devoted to creating and implementing tree plantings and other urban greening initiatives throughout Arizona due to the numerous ecosystem services trees provide that are essential in an urban setting.

To combat climate change, urban heat island issues, air quality issues, and other health concerns, AZSA focuses its tree planting efforts on increasing the shade canopy in urban areas with native or desert-adapted trees. Planting trees is vital to community health and is linked to improved mental health, reduced asthma, and cleaner air.

Generally, AZSA’s tree planting program focuses on disadvantaged areas with a low-shade canopy. AZSA utilizes the American Forests Tree Equity Score tool, which uses several metrics to ensure that we are planting trees in the communities with the greatest need, improving equity and green space access in all communities throughout the state.

For each tree planting, AZSA purchases the trees and rents any tools required, discusses ongoing maintenance concerns, helps determine proper tree choice and location, and facilitates a volunteer day to plant the trees. Following the plantings, AZSA monitors and collects data on the trees, continuing to support them long after planting.

In 2022, AZSA was able to plant, through this initiative, 679 trees, a number we look forward to increasing in the 2023 planting season. AZSA could only have had an impact with all the work from our volunteers and our sponsors’ support.

Past Projects

Arizona Urban Forestry Education Initiative

This is the first urban forestry curriculum designed specifically for Arizona. The initiative educates youth in grades K-12 on Arizona’s urban forestry foundations by working with local educators. The professional development opportunity educates teachers in multiple areas and includes a curriculum aligned with state standards in partnership with urban forestry specialists. The curriculum focuses on tree structure and anatomy; ecosystem impacts such as biodiversity conservation and urban wildlife; social impacts such as urban infrastructure, urban heat islands, air quality, and stormwater management; and an introduction to arboriculture and agriculture as potential career pathways.

Emerson School Tree Planting ( February 2022)

AZSA is partnered with Emerson School to plant 100 trees and plants around the Emerson campus to beautify the campus and offer the students relief from the Arizona sun in the warmer months.

West Mesa River Community Heat Action (Fall 2021)

In partnership with Rio Reimagined, Unlimited Potential, Arizona State University, and others, we supported planting 150 trees within low-income Mesa communities at residences, schools, and local parks.

Desert Spirit School (October 2022)

In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and Glendale Elementary School District, AZSA planted over 65 trees on the campus to provide much-needed shade and beauty to students and staff.

Female Veterans Housing Project

This project involved the cross-sector collaboration and partnership between the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, and the U.S. Veterans Initiative for the construction and landscaping of two brand-new homes that will support female veterans with a safe and sober living environment where they will receive treatment for military sexual trauma and substance abuse, as well as work re-entry counseling and assistance in receiving disability payments. We contributed efforts to beautify the outside of the two homes by adding “greenspaces” along the patios and sidewalks, landscaping in the backyard, and raised garden beds.

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