Arizona Public Radio | Your Source for NPR News
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

APS program offers free shade trees to vulnerable communities, organizations

The Arizona Public Service utility company is accepting applications for the APS Community Tree program. It awards grants for tree-planting projects in vulnerable communities, including low-income areas, Title I schools, non-profit organizations and neighborhood watch associations.

Planting trees for shade can reduce temperatures by up to 45 degrees. A study by The Nature conservancy projects the average number of days at or above 110 degrees in Phoenix will grow from 12 up to 42 by the year 2030. https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/arizona/stories-in-arizona/city-heat-air-quality.

APS’s community partnership division says planting trees now can help mitigate the impacts of heat and create “cooler, healthier spaces...that empower communities to protect the environment.”

Applicants may request a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000 for tree-planting projects.

Information is at www.aps.com