In conjunction with the Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World  exhibition, celebrate shade throughout Los Angeles at A Celebration of Cool! This day-long event will include panel discussions on shade equity, a thermal imaging booth, a heat scavenger hunt, a giant puppet parade, tree give-aways, art workshops and more.

Why attend: These educational, action-oriented events will offer activities for the whole family and invite everyone to take action. Roots of Cool explores the topic of shade equity as installations throughout the gardens and in the gallery, featuring 13 women artists and an art collective, invite visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable.

Cost: Included with admission or membership, no event registration required. See event page here.

When: Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 10:00am-4:00pm

Location: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Hosted by: Descanso Gardens, with curation by Edith de Guzman of UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and Jolly de Guzman. This exhibition and its programs were curated in partnership with UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, University of California Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability, TreePeople, USDA Forest Service, Arroyo Arts Collective, The Nature of Cities, Avenue 50 Studio, USC Public Exchange, Dashboard.Earth, and Accelerate Resilience Los Angeles.

Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World is open at the Sturt Haaga Gallery and Boddy House from July 12–October 12, 2025, 10am–4pm daily. Entry to the Gallery and Boddy House is included in the price of admission or membership. Learn more here.