Urban Heat Island/Tree and Shade Subcommittee

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
Tabitha Myers – Vice Chair
Vjollca Berisha
Anna Bettis
Marc Campbell
Hazel Chandler
Aimee Esposito
Tiffany Halperin
Nicole Rodriguez
Columba Sainz

The Urban Heat Island/ Tree and Shade Subcommittee provides recommendations to Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission. Copies of those recommendation memos can be found below.
Tree and Shade Recommendations - September 11, 2019
Memo from Colin Tetreault, EQSC Chair
Urban Forest Infrastructure Manager Position - January 14, 2021
Cool Corridors Program Recommendations - April 8, 2021
Cool Roofs - December 7, 2021
Heat Equity Policy - December 7, 2021
UHITS Accomplishments September 2020 through December 2021 and Recommendations for Additional Work in the Area of Heat and Shade - December 7, 2021
UHITS Work Plan April 2022-December 2022 - April 12, 2022