The affluent Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona are adorned by a sea of desert greenery, including cacti, yucca, and palo verde trees. However, as one moves south into the city, this vegetation drastically diminishes, leaving predominantly low-income and Latino neighborhoods without shade to absorb the heat of the scorching sun. With temperatures soaring up to 12 degrees higher than the cooler Catalina Foothills, these areas suffer the most during the hot summers.
To address this issue, a movement to plant a million trees by 2030 has been initiated in Tucson. This movement aims to counteract extreme heat while also providing food sources for communities in need. These trees, particularly velvet mesquite, are capable of producing edible pods that can be ground into a flour used for making various foods.
In line with this initiative, there is a trend across the country to plant fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, and other edible plants in public spaces to create shade, provide access to green space, and supply free and healthy food to communities. The environmental benefits of such projects are numerous, including improved air quality, reduced carbon in the atmosphere, and the creation of habitats for wildlife.
In Tucson, the Community Food Bank aims to plant 20,000 trees by 2030. Similar projects in Philadelphia and Boston have also seen success in bringing fresh and free produce to communities that need it. Furthermore, these food forests have proven to be valuable in storing rainwater, helping to conserve water resources in the desert climate of Tucson.
These tree-planting initiatives address both the environmental and social issues faced by communities, tackling both heat and hunger. They work to create sustainable, resilient, and food-secure cities while offering a ray of hope for the future.
