In a city where rising temperatures disproportionately affect historically marginalized neighborhoods, the City of Tempe has taken a significant step toward climate resilience by launching its Community Tree Stewards Program. This initiative empowers residents in Tempe’s hottest, least-vegetated areas to become active stewards of the city’s urban forest, addressing climate injustice and environmental sustainability.
Neighborhoods such as Alegre, Victory Acres, University Heights, Escalante, and the Town of Guadalupe face greater heat exposure due to minimal vegetation and shade. According to research from Arizona State University, robust trees and shade canopies can reduce daytime temperatures by up to 10 degrees. To combat the urban heat island effect, the program equips residents with the knowledge and tools needed to expand Tempe’s urban forestry efforts.
"Trees and our shade canopy play a crucial role in Tempe’s ecosystem, and we believe that by empowering individuals through this program, we can make a significant impact on our environment," said Eric Iwersen, Tempe's Transportation and Sustainability Director. The program supports Tempe’s goal of achieving a 25% tree and shade canopy coverage by 2040, up from the current 14.4%.
The Community Tree Stewards Program operates through three core components: education, organization, and outreach.
Tree Stewards dedicate three hours per week to classroom learning and fieldwork, culminating in a tree-planting event organized by each cohort.
The Community Tree Stewards Program is part of Tempe's broader Growing Together initiative, which integrates tree stewardship with workforce development. Funded through federal and state grants, the initiative includes:
This program is facilitated through partnerships with organizations such as ASU’s Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service, Unlimited Potential, and Watershed Management Group, Inc. Funded partly by the USDA Forest Service and Arizona Department of Fire and Forest Management, Growing Together aims to bolster urban forestry across metro Phoenix.
Shade canopies play a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of extreme heat in urban environments. They reduce temperatures, improve air quality, promote biodiversity, and enhance community well-being. The City of Tempe’s focus on creating shaded areas through expanded tree canopies is an essential nature-based solution to the pressing challenge of urban heat islands.
Cohorts of tree stewards are set to expand in 2025, targeting additional neighborhoods for participation. As program participant Catlin Covarrubias noted, "It’s really great to see more of a grassroots movement of people that really care about trees and want to incorporate that into their neighborhoods."
The Community Tree Stewards Program represents a sustainable and inclusive approach to urban forestry, aligning with Tempe’s vision of creating more fabulous, greener neighborhoods for future generations. By investing in its people and natural resources, Tempe is building a city resilient to climate change while fostering a sense of community stewardship and environmental justice.
