In the November/December 2023 issue of UCFS’s City Trees, Michelle Sutton, City Trees Editor, reported on strategies some communities are taking for Icing out the Heat as extreme heat bears down. The article details ways to keep urban forestry crew and staff safe when the temperatures rise, but tree care
work needs to continue. A few examples from communities in Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana include:
There was so much great information from communities that we couldn’t fit it all into City Trees.
UCFS was provided this excellent Heat Stress Risk Assessment from the City of Surrey, British Columbia. This document provides a step-by-step action plan for supervisors to assess if workers will be safe when the temperatures rise.
A second example comes from Portland, Oregon and is a Heat Safety Bulletin sent out to all Parks and Recreation workers. It provides an “in the moment” example of what to send when the temperatures rise fast and you need to get information out to staff on how to stay safe.
The Icing out the Heat story in City Trees is part of an ongoing series on the practice of urban forestry in a changing climate.
Monday, November 17 from 1:00-4:00pm
To join us, add the tour with your registration!
Join the Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) and the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation for a half-day bus tour exploring how urban forestry practices are evolving to meet the challenges of a hotter, drier climate. This tour is designed for practitioners, planners, and policymakers interested in practical, replicable strategies for building climate-resilient urban landscapes with limited water resources.
Throughout the tour, we’ll explore how cities can proactively adapt to aridification by redesigning public spaces, rethinking irrigation systems, and collaborating across departments and with community partners. Expect a balance of big-picture strategy and actionable detail.
Featured Tour Stops and Highlights:
🌿 Turf Removal & Tree Replacement at Community Parks
See how traditional grass lawns are being replaced with water-smart landscapes by the City of Henderson. At one park site, learn how a communication challenge over tree removals evolved into a model of public engagement, resulting in more—and better—trees planted with long-term resilience in mind.
🦉 Bird Preserve and Partnership with Audubon Society
Explore a vibrant bird preserve developed through a partnership between the City of Henderson and the local Audubon Society. Discover how external collaborations can unlock funding (including grants) and expand habitat while boosting urban canopy goals.
🚧 Street Diet and Green Infrastructure
Visit a transformed urban street where pavement removal made way for tree planting pits and green infrastructure. This site demonstrates how every tree in Henderson is planted with a sustainable irrigation plan—and how all cities can innovate in the right-of-way.
💧 Irrigation Systems & Incentive Programs
Get practical insights on installing and maintaining efficient irrigation systems in challenging settings. Learn how internal and external partnerships (including with the Southern Nevada Water Authority) are creating incentives that drive real change toward water-wise tree planting and landscaping.
What You’ll Take Home:
Special Guests:
We’ll be joined on the tour by guest speakers from the, local Audubon Society, City of Henderson Sustainability Office and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, who will share insider perspectives on interagency collaboration and the mechanics of water incentive programs.
