Most cities and public spaces were not designed to mitigate heat. We are demonstrating how trees and other forms of shade affect people’s heat experiences and measuring the impact of shade in places such as homes, schools, and streetscapes.
We are expanding our support for local heat planning by leading a new federal Center for Excellence for Heat Resilient Communities. With a first-of-its-kind grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Integrated Heat Information System and in collaboration with 50 partners, we aim to assist governments in safeguarding public health and well-being from heat. Our equity-centered approach is data-informed to mitigate and manage heat in diverse communities and heat-exposure settings. Learn more
We are also working with local government agencies, including the City and County of Los Angeles, and their nonprofit and community partners to guide their adoption of evidence-based policy and program actions to protect the most heat-vulnerable communities.
To learn about our work on urban forest equity, click here.
An example of courtyard shade and a nature-based outdoor learning environment at Esperanza Elementary School, Los Angeles. Photo credit: V. Kelly Turner / UCLA Luskin