| Celebrate Urban Wildlife Conservation Day | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2094 | Environment & Sustainability | | 10/8/2021 4:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2094/Newsroom_Environment_025.jpg | | Celebrate Urban Wildlife Conservation Day | <div class="ExternalClass3AE321EB4AA64257BCB2E80C5A161354"><html>
<p>Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego has <a target="_blank" href="/oepsite/Documents/2021%20Urban%20Wildlife%20Conservation%20Day.pdf">declared October 9, 2021 as Urban Wildlife Conservation Day</a> for the city of Phoenix. Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating Urban Wildlife Conservation Day and take part in the 1st annual Walk for the Wild. It's happening on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 8 - 11 a.m. at the Rio Salado Restoration Area, at 2439 S. Central Ave.</p>
<p>This will kick off Walk for the Wild Week with an in-person celebration of our local urban wildlife. There will be:<br></p>
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<p>3k walk on a paved path<br></p>
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<p>Audubon native plant sale<br></p>
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<p>Milkweed for monarchs planting</p>
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<p>Native seed giveaway</p>
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<p>Bird education</p>
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<p>Partner booths</p>
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<p>Bring water with you, but water fountains and restrooms will be available. While this event is outdoors, masks and social distancing are recommended.<br></p>
<p>Check out this <a target="_blank" href="/oepsite/Documents/Urban%20Wildlife%20Event%202021.pdf">flyer</a> for more information or register <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virtualrunningclub.com/events/walk-for-the-wild/">here</a>.<br></p>
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| Join Us for the 2021 "Phoenix Food Day & Healthfest" | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/443 | Environment & Sustainability | | 10/7/2021 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/443/Newsroom_Environment_003.JPG | | Join Us for the 2021 "Phoenix Food Day & Healthfest" | <div class="ExternalClassF2161E58C7C44EFBB7B1960AC8685F09"><html>
<p>Don't miss out on this year's Phoenix Food Day & Healthfest events hosted by the city of Phoenix and the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jlp.org/">Junior League of Phoenix</a>.</p><p></p><p>Phoenix Food Day & Healthfest is a free, health and wellness event that focuses on healthy lifestyles for families. The city and Junior League of Phoenix recognize that providing food and resources during the pandemic recovery is important.<br></p><p>This year’s drive-thru and virtual events will include free food boxes and goodie bags for 2,000 families at each event. The goodie bags will be filled with prizes, kids’ activities, health and wellness vouchers, and much more. Cooking and gardening demos online too!</p><p><strong>Drive-Thru Events:</strong><br></p><ul><li><p>8 a.m. to noon - <strong>Saturday, October 23</strong> - V.H. Lassen Elementary, 909 W. Vineyard Road.</p></li><li><p>8 a.m. to noon - <strong>Saturday, November 6</strong> - Cartwright Community Garden, 4208 N. 51 Ave.<br></p></li></ul><p>For more information and to register, visit <a target="_blank" href="/OEP/FoodDay">phoenix.gov/OEP/FoodDay</a>.<br></p><p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span></p>
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| Phoenix Plays Host to the Migrating Monarch Butterfly | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2079 | Environment & Sustainability | | 9/24/2021 5:30:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/bA-Bwp822U0 | Phoenix Plays Host to the Migrating Monarch Butterfly | <div class="ExternalClassA9E95BF8EBAF484293067887336F52EE"><html>
<p>Right now, these creatures are making their way through Phoenix. September is also the perfect time to start thinking about what native plants you could place on your patio, balcony or plant in your yard to provide essential habitat resources for this key pollinator species. </p>
<p>The western population of the monarch butterfly has declined by 99% over the last 25 years, much of that due to habitat loss and pesticide use.</p>
<p>Consider planting native milkweed and native nectar plants to support the monarch butterfly. <br></p>
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<p>Mayor Kate Gallego's <a target="_blank" href="/oepsite/Documents/Mayor%27s%20Monarch%20Proclamation.pdf">Planting for Monarchs Month Proclamation</a>.<br></p>
<p>Learn more and find links to other resources at <a href="/oep/monarch" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/oep/monarch</a>. <br></p>
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| Save the Monarchs! | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2044 | Environment & Sustainability | | 9/1/2021 5:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2044/Newsroom_Environment_024.jpg | | Save the Monarchs! | <div class="ExternalClassF4BCA79098D5498A80970B684E8E7B8D"><html>
<div>Did you know that Phoenix plays host to the migrating monarch butterfly each year? We see them arrive in September and wave goodbye around May as they make their way to cooler climates for the summer. <br></div><div><br></div><div>The monarch’s multi-generation, 3,000-mile-long migration and dramatic overwintering habits capture our imagination. But this key pollinator is currently struggling; the western population of the monarch butterfly has declined by 99 percent over the last 25 years. But one simple action can help them survive and thrive: plant! </div><div><br></div><div>Native milkweed and native nectar plants are essential for monarch survival. With the fall planting season in Phoenix about to start, consider planting native milkweed and native nectar plants to provide habitat for monarchs and other pollinators. From one or two potted plants on a balcony to landscaping an entire yard or business park and anything in between, it all makes a difference. </div><div><br></div><div>Working together, we can create a web of much needed habitat resources throughout Phoenix for this important species. Plus, we save on water use and support our native biodiversity by avoiding high water budget plants in favor of those native to the Phoenix region. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Mayor Kate Gallego's <a href="/oepsite/Documents/Mayor%27s%20Monarch%20Proclamation.pdf" target="_blank">Planting for Monarchs Month Proclamation</a>.<br></div><div><br></div>
<p>Learn more and find links to other resources at <a href="/oep/monarch" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/oep/monarch</a>. </p>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| Join the City of Phoenix in the Fight to Combat Climate Change | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/1973 | Environment & Sustainability | | 6/29/2021 4:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1973/Newsroom_Environment_023.jpg | | Join the City of Phoenix in the Fight to Combat Climate Change | <div class="ExternalClass38BFD0527A4049E59BBC5A43B0E00EE0"><html>
<p>Are you concerned about climate change and the impacts to our water, temperatures, and air quality?</p>
<p>The city of Phoenix is asking the community to provide feedback on the draft Climate Action Plan. The proposed plan addresses the challenges posed by climate change and the steps residents can take to help make Phoenix a more sustainable city.</p>
<p>"This plan will be made stronger through community input and ideas, and achieving the goals set forth will require cross-sector and community-wide participation," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. "The Climate Action Plan establishes baselines and charts the path forward to net-zero emissions by 2050 or sooner, and it will be updated every two years to track progress and to evolve with the unique needs and circumstances of our city."<br></p>
<p>The draft Climate Action Plan includes goals and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from various activities in these areas: Stationary Energy, Transportation, Waste, Air Quality, Food Systems, Heat, and Water. There are many climate actions in the plan, such as reducing emissions from buildings; transportation and waste; supporting electric vehicles; building a network of cool pedestrian corridors; improving air quality; and continuing to foster an inclusive and equitable city.</p>
<p>Share your climate action ideas and priorities with the city to help fight climate change. There are a variety of ways for residents to get involved: review the draft plan at <a href="/oep/cap" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/climate</a>, complete a <a href="https://ppaz1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_20tB6y04CxRnkMu" target="_blank">survey</a>, and submit feedback, comments or questions to climate@phoenix.gov.</p>
<p>The deadline to provide your ideas and feedback is Friday, Aug. 13.<br></p>
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| Mitigating Rising Temperatures in the Edison-Eastlake Community | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/1882 | Environment & Sustainability | | 5/5/2021 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1882/Newsroom_Environment_022.jpg | | Mitigating Rising Temperatures in the Edison-Eastlake Community | <div class="ExternalClassA353181A79BA40C9BB96041917E89524"><html>
<p>Cities across the globe are seeing rising summer temperatures, in part, due to the Urban Heat Island Effect. This phenomenon is largely due to urban infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and sidewalks absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night.</p>
<p>In 2018, the city was awarded a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to redevelop the Edison-Eastlake neighborhood just east of downtown Phoenix, which tracks some of the hottest temperatures in the city each summer – up to 10 degrees hotter than other areas of the city. This community-driven redevelopment is leading the way for what it means to be a modern, heat-ready community.</p>
<p>"It is fitting that a historic neighborhood such as Edison-Eastlake will be home to this new vision for heat-ready housing and community spaces that maintain the traditional qualities of a close-knit neighborhood," said Mayor Kate Gallego. “These new mixed-income units not only provide more modern amenities to residents, they also offer a sense of place with added resources, and promote climate action and heat mitigation in their design to enhance the well-being of our residents and our environment."<br></p>
<p>The redevelopment includes: an expansion of Edison Park and the addition of a linear park along 19th Street; the addition of shade trees and shade structures within the many green spaces in the area; an expanded shade canopy along Van Buren, 19th and 20th streets to promote walkability; and the addition of shaded bus shelters. The plan also includes the strategic placement of buildings to block sun exposure and create shade; landscape design and placement of trees to maximize sidewalk shade; the use of heat mitigating roof coatings and building materials, among others.</p>
<p>"The Edison-Eastlake community and its residents have dealt with hotter temperatures due to lack of investment for far too long," said Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia, who represents the city's District 8. “I hope this project will help lessen the impact of the warming climate for this diverse and historic neighborhood."<br></p>
<p>Residents and community stakeholders have been part of the redevelopment team from the very beginning. The Nature Conservancy identified the Edison-Eastlake Community as one of three focus areas throughout the Valley to address the impacts of rising temperatures. The project, with support from Phoenix Revitalization Corporation (PRC), engaged residents and stakeholders to create a Heat Action Plan that provides solutions to urban heat in the neighborhood. The Heat Action Plan identified some of the techniques to reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect.</p>
<p>"It was important that we brought community partners to this project to provide unique expertise and ensure that the voices of the residents were not only heard, but that they saw their ideas come to life in the design and final product," said Deanna Jonovich, acting Housing director.</p>
<p>Community member and resident leader Rosalyn Gordon said shade was of extreme importance to seniors and families, "so it was critical for me to participate in the various community meetings to help identify solutions to address the need for year-round shading in our neighborhood."<br></p>
<p>The city's Housing Department also partnered with urban heat researchers at Arizona State University to offer mitigation best-practices and to place heat sensors throughout the community, including two roof top devices, to provide pre- and post-redevelopment data to measure the true impact of the heat mitigation efforts informed by the residents and project partners.</p>
<p>"It's really about, 'show me the data," said Paul Coseo, PhD, associate professor of landscape architecture, The Design School, Arizona State University. "We believe that these design elements will cool the neighborhood, but data will tell us if they really do."<br></p>
<p>The redevelopment of the Edison-Eastlake Community is taking shape. New units are being constructed and residents now have an outdoor event space that is available for everyone to enjoy, with ramadas, a shaded, community stage and plenty of trees that are getting ready to throw some shade.</p>
<p>Soluna, the first Choice Neighborhoods mixed-income housing development in the Edison-Eastlake Community, is currently taking shape as well. When completed, Soluna will be a modern community with a variety of amenities informed by the residents, including a computer lab, energy-efficient homes and shaded community spaces. The northeast corner will serve as the gateway to the neighborhood and will incorporate public art and shade into an arts plaza. </p>
<p>The next phase of housing development, Harmony at the Park, will continue the heat-mitigation mission, with more shaded community spaces and elements to improve walkability, focusing on safety and comfort. The site will also include a linear park stretching from Villa to Polk streets. This park will provide open green space with walking paths and even more shade trees.</p>
<p>And this is just the beginning of the story. The city of Phoenix Housing Department is seeking LEED for Neighborhood Development Silver certification for the area of the neighborhood north of Van Buren Street. LEED is a framework for identifying, implementing and measuring green building and neighborhood design. </p>
<p>"This project will serve as a national model for redevelopment that incorporates health mitigation strategies and technologies at its core," said David Hondula, PhD, associate professor, School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning, Arizona State University. <br></p>
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