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If it’s springtime, it’s Community Canopy time! 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 in 2024. They’re giving away another 2,300 drought resilient trees to local residents, 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 exclusively 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 spring giveaway opens to all Clark County residents at 8 a.m. PDT Monday, March 30. Trees available include the peach redskin, Chinese pistache and Shumard oak.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), 2024 was the hottest year on record for Southern Nevada. 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. Multiple studies indicate planting shade trees can help reduce surface temperatures by up to 12°F as well as improve air quality.

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

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