“Urban Forest” is Growing, Thanks to Partnership with Arbor Day Foundation.

Clark County’s Department of Environment & Sustainability (DES) and the Arbor Day Foundation are teaming up once again to continue growing the “urban forest” they launched last year. They’re giving away another 2,300 trees this fall, targeting Southern Nevada areas deemed most vulnerable for the urban heat island effect. The effort is part of All-In Clark County’s Stay Cool Clark County initiative: the Community Canopy Project.

Targeting the Urban Heat Island Effect

For a limited time, Clark County is offering free trees to residents in specific zip codes that are impacted by the urban heat island effect: 89014, 89121, 89119, 89104, 89110, 89103, 89169, 89106, 89102, 89030, 89101 and 89142. Residents in those select zip codes may go to www.ArborDay.org/ClarkCountyDES to claim a tree. The Fall giveaway opens to all Clark County residents at 8 a.m., Monday, Oct. 6.

“The Community Canopy Project fulfills one of our All-In Clark County goals to make our community more climate resilient,” said Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson, whose District G is home to residents in some targeted zip codes. “More than just curb appeal, trees also reduce air temperature over time, provide shade to cool down streets and help reduce energy costs for homeowners.”

Summer 2025 was noticeably milder than prior years, but 2024 was the hottest summer on record for Southern Nevada, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Several neighborhoods in the region experience an urban heat island effect: areas that are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings due to human-built structures like roads, buildings and concrete, which absorb and store solar heat, as well as waste heat from engines, vehicles and air conditioning.

Since last year, the Community Canopy Project has given away to 4,500 trees with a goal of planting and additional 4,500 through spring 2026.

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