Today, Phoenix is greening up, with the city's largest tree planting event of the season set to root approximately 200 trees in a Westwood neighborhood, a grant-funded initiative aimed at throwing shade in the best way possible - towards building up urban foliage and fostering community ties.
Ambitions are high as the City of Phoenix digs deep into its plan for a lusher, cooler environment, with Mayor Kate Gallego planting expectations for a greener future, “Planting trees across Phoenix not only enhances the beauty of our neighborhoods but also puts in motion our strategic vision for urban forestry, these trees represent our commitment to shade equity and climate resilience, ensuring that every resident enjoys the benefits of a greener, cooler, and more inviting environment," she explained according to a statement obtained by the City of Phoenix Newsroom.
The green thumbs at the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation crafted the Community Canopy grant program last fall, an initiative that gifts free trees and planting assistance to those living in Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs), pockets of the city identified as needing more green cover and communal oases.
Supplying the muscle and the mulch, Treeland Nurseries provides the trees, while contractor West Coast Arborists will handle the planting, all for grant winners who will also net a bag of gardening goodies, courtesy of the city. Councilwoman Laura Pastor sprouted pride for her district's involvement, “I am incredibly proud to represent such a vibrant and engaged community,” Pastor declared in an interview with the City of Phoenix Newsroom, “It brings me great joy to see so many of my constituents taking advantage of the Community Canopy grant program, as it not only beautifies our neighborhoods but also has numerous environmental benefits."
Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), space for more city slicker saplings exists, as applications are still open. Phoenix residents keen on sprucing up their block with benefits that extend beyond the curb can apply online before the end-of-year deadline, or literally watch the grass grow under their feet.
