TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Southwest Gas Foundation donated $50,000 to Mayor Romero's Tucson Million Trees Program, which will increase Tucson's tree canopy in frontline communities.
The donation, which was matched dollar for dollar by another charitable gift, adds $100,000 to the Mayor's goal of planting one million trees in Tucson by 2030.
The Mayor's Office has partnered with Tucson Clean and Beautiful to put the Mayor's vision into action by organizing tree plantings in high-risk communities.
Today, TCB received a $15,000 check from the Southwest Gas Foundation, the first installment of which will allow the local non-profit to plant or distribute about 430 trees.
Today we are seeing what is possible when the public and private sector come together to act on climate.
Increased urban heat is a result of greenhouse gas emissions, low tree canopy, and increased paved surfaces, and our historically underserved neighborhoods are in urgent need of urban shade.
I am very grateful to the Southwest Gas Foundation for stepping up to do their part to help cities like Tucson address extreme heat.
As we plan and act on climate, we will continue to identify ways to reduce carbon emissions from all our energy sources.
~Tucson Mayor Regina Romero
As the main Tucson Million Trees partner, Tucson Clean and Beautiful uses the City of Tucson's Tree Equity Score Analyzer to identify neighborhoods most in need of crucial tree investment that may help decrease air pollution, collect carbon dioxide, and lower energy costs in households.
This donation to Tucson Clean and Beautiful is just the latest example of Southwest Gas’ ongoing efforts to partner with our communities on projects that enhance quality of life in our service territories and provide sustainable, environmental solutions.
We expect this donation to increase the number of trees in up to five neighborhoods around Tucson.
We’re proud to team with Mayor Romero’s Tucson Million Trees program, Tucson Clean and Beautiful, and the homeowners and neighborhoods who will benefit from increased shade, cooler temperatures, and improved air quality.”
~Dr. Laura S. Nelson
Mayor Regina Romero, cosidered a national leader in climate adaption, was awarded the 2022 Ironwood Award for Public Service from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Mayor Romero's goal is to expand Tucson's canopy was recently featured as a case study in the Arbor Day Foundation's 2022 publication, Now is the Time for Trees.
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Bivian Contreras is a real-time editor for KGUN 9. Bivian graduated from the University of Arizona School of Journalism with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast and is currently pursuing a degree in Broadcast Operational Meteorology. Share your story ideas and important issues with Bivian by emailing bivian.contreras@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
