Following City Council direction, the Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission (EQSC) created the Urban Heat Island/Tree and Shade Subcommittee in 2018.  The purpose of the subcommittee is to evaluate, analyze and recommend policies to address the issues surrounding Urban Heat and to advance implementation of the Phoenix Tree and Shade Master Plan.

"As our city continues to grow, so does the urban heat island and the need to provide heat relief," said former Mayor Thelda Williams. "I look forward to the policy recommendations the subcommittee brings forward to mitigate the effects of the heat island and provide much needed shade throughout the city."

The Urban Heat Island/Tree and Shade Subcommittee will include representation from a diversity of areas, including arboriculture, urban forestry, community health, commercial development and management, ​urban planning, environmental education, academia and residents.

"Finding long-term solutions to tackle our urban heat island and tree canopy are imperative for the future of Phoenix," said Colin Tetreault, Chairman, EQSC.  "The Commission welcomes the opportunity to be the honest broker of ideas, solutions and policy recommendations that creates a 21st century city that is cooler, healthier, and more competitive." 

Subcommittee Members

Ginger Sykes Torres – Chair  

Dwayne Allen – Vice Chair

Anna Bettis

Marc Campbell

Hazel Chandler

Wanda Dalla Costa 

Aimee Esposito 

Nika Forte 

Carlos Galindo-Elvira

CJ Hager

David Hondula

Nicole Rodriguez

Vanessa Spartan-Platt

Vjollca Verisha 

The Urban Heat Island/ Tree and Shade Subcommittee of the City of Phoenix Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission releases their draft recommendations to increase shade within the City of Phoenix​

Copy of the recommendations 

Memo from Colin Tetreault, EQSC chair