Tempe has initiated its first ever Community Tree Stewards Program, designed to breed a group of informed caretakers for the urban forest within the city, specifically targeting the sweltering and sparsely vegetated regions that have historically been neglected. According to a recent update by Tempe, the program sets its sights on parts of the city where the heat hits hardest, such as the Alegre and Victory Acres neighborhoods, and extends its efforts to the Town of Guadalupe.
This initiative comes as a response to the mounting concern about inequitable exposure to heat, especially in areas with scarce tree coverage that typically house marginalized communities. Influential studies by Arizona State University have shown that, within these neighborhoods, proper foliage and shade can constitute a 10-degree difference in daily temperatures—a significant reprieve from the desert's penetrating heat.
Eric Iwersen, the City of Tempe's Transportation and Sustainability Director, emphasized the positive influence of this program, stating, "We are thrilled to launch this program and see our community members take an active role in caring for our trees," according to Tempe's announcement. The scope of the Community Tree Stewards Program spans education, where residents learn about proper tree care and maintenance, to hands-on community engagement and serving as local advisors on tree-related concerns; this multifaceted approach aims to not only green the neighborhoods but also cultivate professional prospects.
The Growing Together: A Tree Stewardship & Workforce Development Program, sanctioned by the Tempe City Council earlier this year, underpins the Tree Stewards initiative, offering a broader array of efforts that include tree canopy expansion in schools, the establishment of public food forests, and workforce development opportunities in selected neighborhoods.
This larger endeavor is part of a collaborative project with numerous local and national organizations, including a partnership with ASU's Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service Urban Nature project. Notably, the Justice-40 initiative, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, backs this project with a considerable $5 million grant from the USDA Forest Service to advance urban forestry in the Phoenix area. Program resources have also been secured via an Arizona Department of Fire and Forest Management and a USDA Forest Service IRA grant, with program assistance from RAIL CDC, Unlimited Potential, Arizona Landscape Contractors Association, and Watershed Management Group, Inc.
Residents who choose to take part in the Community Tree Stewards program commit to three hours weekly, which consists of time spent in both the classroom and the field; they will be engaging with neighbors about the benefits of trees, conducting tree surveys, and understanding the principles of tree placement, participants will gain knowledge and practical experience critical for sustainable urban living amidst a changing climate. The program is scheduled to run two cohorts in 2025, open to various neighborhoods in Tempe—interested individuals can find more details and register for participation on the City of Tempe website.
