ARIZONA NEWS

Cool idea: Mesa initiative sets goal of 1 million trees planted by 2050

Feb 18, 2023, 5:00 AM

(City of Mesa Photo) (City of Mesa Photo) (City of Mesa Photo) (City of Mesa Photo) (City of Mesa Photo)

PHOENIX — If one of Mesa’s newest initiatives succeeds, a million trees will be planted in the East Valley city by 2050.

The “Trees are Cool” push aims to increase shade, lower the urban heat island effect and keep the community cooler during the summer months.

Mesa is challenging residents and businesses to contribute to the goal, which would increase the city’s tree canopy coverage to 15%.

Residents can get up to $100 back for planting two trees.

“Any meaningful climate action plan in Mesa must address heat mitigation, and trees have a significant role to play in providing shade, keeping temperatures low and filtering greenhouse gas emissions,” Mayor John Giles said in a press release Wednesday.

“I encourage everyone to get involved in planting new trees in Mesa.”

An online tool is available to record the location of newly planted trees and information on choosing, planting and caring for them.

The tool also has a map that shows the neighborhoods most susceptible to heat impact risks.

The initiative is in line with Mesa’s climate action plan and was developed following feedback from community members about the city’s environmental goals.

“We need to work together to ensure that our community can withstand the changing weather patterns caused by climate change, both in terms of extreme temperatures and ongoing drought,” Scott Bouchie, director of Mesa’s environmental and sustainability department, said in the release.

“It is especially important to reduce temperatures in our most vulnerable neighborhoods. And planting trees can help us do this.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

sign of Bernard Black School...

KTAR.com

South Phoenix educator wins Gaydos and Chad’s teacher tribute for October

A south Phoenix kindergarten educator was named KTAR News 92.3 FM's The Gaydos and Chad Show's Pay Tribute to a Teacher winner for October.

5 hours ago

Derek Chauvin, former Minneapolis police officer...

Associated Press

Inmate who stabbed Derek Chauvin 22 times charged with attempted murder

A federal inmate in Tucson was charged Friday with attempted murder in the prison stabbing of former police officer Derek Chauvin.

7 hours ago

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is seen before administering the oath of office to m...

Associated Press

Here are some excerpts of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s Supreme Court opinions

Here is a collection of excerpts from Supreme Court opinions by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who died Friday at age 93.

8 hours ago

(Colton Krolak/KTAR)...

Colton Krolak

The Mesa Temple Christmas lights continue through Dec. 31

The Christmas light display at the Mesa Temple of the Church of Latter-day Saints is back and free to the public.

9 hours ago

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspect a vehicle at the Lukeville Port of Entry on the...

Kevin Stone

Major Arizona border crossing to close, with staffing redirected to catch migrants

U.S. officials are closing the Lukeville Port of Entry on the Arizona-Mexico border Monday to better deal with a surge in illegal crossings.

11 hours ago

Mugshot of Steven Ray Gault III, who was booked into jail for manslaughter after a fatal shooting i...

KTAR.com

Woman dead, man jailed after night of drinking and gunplay in west Phoenix

A night of drinking and gunplay in west Phoenix this week ended with a woman dead and man behind bars, authorities said.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

Follow @KTAR923...

The 2023 Diamondbacks are a good example to count on the underdog

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the World Series as a surprise. That they made the playoffs at all, got past the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card round, swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS and won two road games in Philadelphia to close out a full seven-game NLCS went against every expectation. Now, […]

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

Cool idea: Mesa initiative sets goal of 1 million trees planted by 2050