Attachment A - Shade Plan Progress Report Draft Sept9
City of Phoenix — Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee (2025-09-17)
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ATTACHMENT A
SHADE PHOENIX
YEAR 1 PROGRESS REPORT
DRAFT FOR CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REVIEW
SEPTEMBER 2025
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report is the first annual assessment of the Shade Phoenix Plan, which was adopted by Phoenix City
Council in November 2024. This report provides a status update on the plan’s 36 actions for the reporting
period July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. To assess the progress made in the plan’s first year the Office of Heat
Response and Mitigation collected data from city departments and community partners. City staff extend
appreciation to all residents and organizations who supported this process.
City of Phoenix Mayor and Council
Mayor Kate Gallego
Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien- District 1
Betty Guardado – District 5
Jim Waring – District 2
Kevin Robinson - District 6
Debra Stark – District 3
Anna Hernandez – District 7
Laura Pastor – District 4
Kesha Hodge Washington – District 8
City of Phoenix Departments Arts & Culture, Aviation, Budget and Research, City Engineer, City Manager’s
Office, Communications, Community and Economic Development, Convention Center, Environmental
Programs, Fire, Heat Response and Mitigation, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Homeless
Solutions, Housing, Human Services, Innovation, Law, Library, Neighborhood Services, Parks and Recreation,
Planning and Development, Police, Public Health, Public Transit, Public Works, Street Transportation,
Sustainability, Volunteer Programs, Water Services, Youth and Education.
City of Phoenix Advisory Boards The City of Phoenix appreciates the contributions of the many community
members who serve on public advisory boards and commissions that have provided input to the
development and implementation of the Shade Phoenix Plan, including the Environmental Quality and
Sustainability Commission and all 15 Village Planning Committees.’
Local Regional and National Partners Organizations listed below are partners in the tree and shade
programs that the City operates or supports, and/or have provided input to the development and
implementation of the Shade Phoenix Plan.
American Forests, American Society of Landscape Architecture Arizona Chapter, Arizona Community Tree
Council, Arizona Conservation Corps, Arizona Cooperative Initiative, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire
Management, Arizona Landscape Contractors Association, Arizona Nursery Association, Arizona Public
Service, Arizona State University, Arizona Sustainability Alliance, Artlink, Bloomberg Associates, Bloomberg
Philanthropies, CHISPA AZ, Keep Phoenix Beautiful, Maricopa Association of Governments, Maricopa County,
Phoenix Metro Urban Forestry Roundtable, Resilient Cities Catalyst, Salt River Project, The Design Laboratory,
The Nature Conservancy, Trees Matter, U.S. Forest Service, University of Arizona, University of Arizona
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, University of California Los Angeles, Unlimited Potential, Venture
Café Phoenix, Watershed Management Group.
The City of Phoenix also deeply appreciates contributions from many individual community members, as well
as neighborhood and business associations, who have provided input to the Shade Phoenix Plan and shared
their feedback on tree and shade efforts at other community forums in recent years.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 3
INTRODUCTION TO SHADE PHOENIX
Phoenix City Council unanimously adopted the Shade Phoenix Plan in November 2024. The
plan provides policy direction regarding the addition and maintenance of natural and built
shade to protect public health, improve quality of life, and create community resilience. It
presents a vision of a future where all community members experience the benefits of
trees and built shade throughout the City and contains 36 actions addressing four broad
strategies:
1. Expand Shade, increasing shade for people where they need it most.
2. Preserve and Maintain Existing Shade, ensuring that the community is working together
to support a thriving urban forest and well-maintained built shade.
3. Evaluate and Institutionalize the ongoing implementation and improvement of shade
efforts to scale their impacts and maximize benefits.
4. Educate and Empower, so that all Phoenicians understand the importance and value of
trees and shade and how they can support them.
The 36 actions in the Shade Phoenix Plan are supported by an estimated $60,000,000 in
allocated and planned funding from local, federal, and private sources to be invested over
the period 2024-2029. Guided by the plan's core values to target actions where shade can
have the greatest impact on human health, and to address inequities in tree and shade
resources, more than 85% of the funding was to be directed to low-, moderate- and middle-
income communities.
Shade Phoenix Core Values
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 4
SUMMARY OF YEAR 1 PROGRESS
This report is the first annual assessment of the Shade Phoenix Plan. This report provides a
status update on the plan’s 36 actions for the reporting period July 1, 2024, to June 30,
2025. To effectively assess the progress made in the plan’s first year the Office of Heat
Response and Mitigation collected data from city departments and community partners.
Progress on each action was evaluated based on the provided data as compared to the
original milestone for Year 1 established in the Shade Phoenix Plan.
Progress was achieved on all 36 actions in the Shade Phoenix Plan last year, and each
action was assessed into one of three categories:
• Milestone Met: Applied to actions that fully met or exceeded their year 1 milestone.
31 of 36 (86%) actions in the Shade Phoenix Plan met their year 1 targets.
• Making Progress: Applied to actions that are projected to be fully completed but did
not meet their year 1 milestone. 5 of 36 actions were identified in this category.
• Facing Obstacles: Applied to actions with significant resource constraints or
implementation challenges that jeopardize full implementation within the Shade
Phoenix Plan’s five-year time horizon. No actions were identified in this category.
Actions completed over the past year led to meaningful changes in the infrastructure,
processes, and people that impact residents' safety, comfort, and quality of life. Across all
departments, city investments enabled more than 7,200 trees to be planted with a net
addition of more than 5,500 trees to Phoenix's urban canopy. Additionally, 155 new shade
structures were installed benefiting pedestrians, public transit users, park visitors, and
local youth. The total first year investment for Shade Phoenix actions is estimated to be
$16,000,000, including planting and installation, maintenance costs, supplies, and human
resources.
Year 1 Key Metrics
7,216
trees planted
155
shade structures installed
86%
of actions are fully on track
4,000+
residents engaged
78
schools with new shade
130+
staff members trained
81
new transit shade shelters
22,000+
trees inventoried
9
artistic installations
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 5
ACTION SUMMARY TABLE
MILESTONE MET
MAKING PROGRESS FACING OBSTABLES
#
ACTION
YEAR 1 MILESTONE
PROGRESS
1
Shade for Students Grant
Install 47 structures
2
Canopy for Kids Grant
Plant 1,000 trees
3
Build shade at playgrounds
Increase shade at 5 playgrounds
4
Plant trees at City Parks
Plant at least 120% of the number of trees lost the prior
year
5
Add shade to city facilities
Increase shade coverage at 5 facilities
6
Build Green Stormwater
Infrastructure
Finalizing location for 3 projects
7
Expand Cool Corridors
Network
Assess potential project sites and complete prioritization
assessment
8
Add built shade at bus stops
Install at least 80 shade structures
9
Construct shade in right-of-
way
Begin construction of 10 structures
10
Pilot built shade right-of-way
permit
Draft requirements for permit
11
Community Canopy Grant
Plant 1,000 trees
12
Develop permit for planting
projects
Draft requirements for permit
13
Enhance shade stipulations
Complete review of existing stipulations and begin
drafting
14
Expand tree replacement
program
Plant 500 replacement trees
15
Maintain City trees and built
shade
Develop maintenance protocol across all departments
16
Strengthen tree code
enforcement
Create pilot program for enhanced enforcement
17
Complete tree and shade
assessment
Complete tree assessment; Complete shade
assessment
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 6
#
ACTION
YEAR 1 MILESTONE
PROGRESS
18
Create tree and shade
inventory
Finalize tree inventory; Finalize shade inventory
19
Provide annual progress
report
Develop reporting mechanisms and begin data collection
20
Update Shade Phoenix every
5 years
n/a
21
Improve processes for city
tree care
Complete initial study, pursue recommendations in
working groups
22
Improve maintenance
practices
Collect data and benchmarking guidelines to inform
assessment
23
Build City capacity for GSI
Train at least 10 employees on GSI
24
Establish working groups for
trees and shade
Urban Forestry work group meeting regularly; Launch
Built Shade work group
25
Update City plant species
guidance
Analyze existing tree species guidance
26
Embed shade
recommendations into City
design standards
Review projects for compliance with shade
recommendations
27
Pilot a Public Shade Fund
Conduct research, stakeholder and public engagement
28
Integrate tree and shade
goals in City plans
All relevant City plans incorporate tree and shade goals
29
Create a Tree Steward
Program
Create contracts with non-profit partners to operate
program
30
Support urban forestry career
pathways
Design and launch program with non-profit partners
31
Provide Certified Arborist
training
Promote Certified Arborist training to other City
Departments and the public
32
Launch Shade Phoenix
campaign
Consult with stakeholders on communications campaign
33
Create award for innovative
shade projects
Develop shade award and identify other recognition
opportunities
34
Commission artists to create
public art shade installations
Announce winning artists and install temporary public art
projects
35
Develop neighborhood tree
plans
Host 4 workshops
36
Create and distribute
education on trees and shade
Create single packet of 'Shade Phoenix' materials for
distribution
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 7
ACTION HIGHLIGHTS
City of Phoenix Tree and Built Shade Grant Programs
In June 2022, the Phoenix City Council allocated $6 million from the American Rescue Plan
Act to address extreme heat and promote environmental equity through the Residential
Tree Equity Accelerator and Trees and Shade for Schools initiatives. These programs aim to
enhance climate resilience in underserved Phoenix neighborhoods by increasing natural
and built shade, improving air quality, and fostering healthier outdoor spaces.
The Shade for Students program allocated $1.5
million to build 47 shade structures at 26
institutions, benefiting over 10,000 children by
creating safer outdoor learning and play spaces.
The Canopy for Kids program, with $2 million in
funding, planted 1,238 trees at 56 school
campuses, installed irrigation systems, and
engaged youth in environmental stewardship
through partnerships with organizations like Trees
Matter and Arizona Sustainability Alliance. The
Community Canopy program provided $2 million to
distribute and plant 1,984 trees at private properties in neighborhoods with low economic
resources, reducing barriers to planting and ensuring tree health with irrigation tools and
education. By offering free native, low-water-use trees, this program lowers cooling costs
and supports water conservation.
Together, these initiatives address the disproportionate
impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations,
improve public health, and promote environmental
justice. With a $10 million award from the US Forest
Service, Phoenix will continue the Community Canopy and
Canopy for Kids grant programs with the goal of long-term
sustainability, resilience, and community empowerment
in the face of climate challenges.
Palo Verde tree in bloom in April 2025
Shade Structure built through a grant with Shade
for Students
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 8
Shade Data and the American Forests Tree Equity Score Analyzer
Through a partnership with the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and American Forests,
residents can now access state-of-the-art, county-wide shade data through the Maricopa
County Tree Equity Score Analyzer [https://www.treeequityscore.org/analyzer/maricopa].
This new resource makes it possible to easily determine the areas with the highest shade
need throughout Phoenix and to understand how natural and built shade each contribute
to overall shade coverage.
Shade data from all sources, including vegetation (primarily trees) and built features (such
as buildings and built shade), are summarized by Census Block Group in the sample maps
presented below. The maps show modeled shade on the summer solstice (June 21) at 12
PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 9
¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade
¡Sombra! is an innovative public art project that brings
together local and national artists, civic leaders, and
residents to experiment with cooling and shading
solutions in response to Phoenix’s extreme urban heat.
The program is funded in part by the Public Art
Challenge, a Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative that
invites mayors, artists, and community to collaborate
on temporary public art projects that shine a light on
critical local issues and encourage action to address
them.
More than 80 design teams applied to participate in
the project, from which nine winning artists were selected by a diverse panel of specialists
from the City of Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, the Office of Innovation,
the Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture, as well as local and national artists and design
professionals. The ¡Sombra! artists experimented with innovative materials and processes,
creative themes, and community engagement activities that resulted in temporary art
installations which were unveiled throughout the City of Phoenix in the Spring of 2025.
Shade structure constructed with artists from the collective AZ(LAND) through the Sombra! project
Shade structure constructed with
artists Josie Davis and Jenny Boehme
through the Sombra! project
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 10
ACTION DESCRIPTIONS
STRATEGY 1: EXPAND SHADE
Increase shade for people where they need it most
Complete implementation of the Shade for Students
program – Milestone Met
The Shade for Students program funded and constructed shade structures at 26
schools and youth-serving non-profits, with a total of 47 individual structures added
or refurbished. The program is serving over 10,000 students annually by making
outdoor spaces safer and more comfortable for outdoor recreation, education, and
socialization. In November 2024, the City hosted a celebration of shade at Solano
Elementary in the Osborn School District, where the first shade structure was
completed through this program. The Shade for Students program was jointly
recognized with a 2025 Award of Distinction for Climate Action Solutions through
Arizona Forward's Environmental Excellence Award Program.
Year 1 Milestone
Install 47 structures
Metrics
47 shade structures installed; 26 campuses
Funding
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding ($1.5M)
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Office of Youth and Education
1
A colorful Shade Structure built through a grant with Shade
for Students
A checkered Shade Structure
built through a grant with Shade
for Students. Two of the
structures have wheels.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 11
Complete implementation of Canopy for Kids program –
Milestone Met
The Canopy for Kids program planted 1,237 trees at public and non-profit charter
schools and at campuses of youth-focused non-profit organizations. Trees planted
through this program to date are serving over 21,500 students annually. Local
environmental non-profit groups worked with participating schools to educate
students about tree planting, ecology, water use, and heat mitigation property, and
collaborated with facility staff to complete planting projects.
The Canopy for Kids programs won a joint 2025 Award of Distinction for Climate
Action Solutions through Arizona Forward's Environmental Excellence Award
Program, and was also recognized as part of the City’s 2024 Ponderosa Pine
Partnership Award through Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
for outstanding urban forestry projects in Arizona. Paideia Academies, one of the
Canopy for Kids grant awarded schools located in South Phoenix, won the 2024
Palo Verde award for Urban Forestry Enhancement through Arizona Department of
Forestry and Fire Management.
The Canopy for Kids program is funded to continue for an additional four years and
will be conducted in partnership with Arizona State University’s Sustainability
Teachers’ Academy with the College of Global Futures, Watershed Management
Group and EcoRise.
Year 1 Milestone
Plant 1,000 trees
Metrics
1,237 trees planted; 56 campuses
Funding
ARPA ($2M), IRA ($2M)
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
ARPA: various school partners, Youth and Education Office,
Arizona Public Service, Trees Matter, AZ Sustainability Alliance,
Keep Phoenix Beautiful; IRA: Watershed Management Group,
Arizona State University
2
Trees planted with help from students with the Canopy of Kids
Grant
Instructor from Arizona Sustainability Alliance teaching
students about tree and shade.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 12
Integrate shade in new construction and renovation at
municipal playgrounds – Milestone Met
The Parks and Recreation Department constructed new shade structures at five
municipal playgrounds and refurbished shade structures at two municipal
playgrounds. Additional funding from the GO Bond will be used over the next few
years to increase the number and size of shade structures installed in new
construction and renovation of playgrounds.
Year 1 Milestone
Increase shade at 5 playgrounds
Metrics
9 shade structures installed; 2 structures repaired
Funding
Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and General Obligation
(GO) Bond
Lead Department
Parks and Recreation
Partners
Street Transportation, Planning and Development, Office of Heat
Response and Mitigation, Office of the City Engineer
Plant trees in City parks – Milestone Met
Each year the Parks and Recreation Department strives to plant 120% of the
number of trees lost or removed the prior year. In 2023-2024, Parks and Recreation
reported losing or removing 687 trees at city parks, which established a planting
goal of 824 trees for 2024-2025. This milestone was exceeded with 1,302 trees
planted in city parks last year. Parks and Recreation reported 834 trees removed or
lost at city parks in 2024-25, which sets the 2025-26 milestone for tree planting at
1,001.
Year 1 Milestone
Plant at least 120% of the number of trees lost the prior year
Metrics
1,302 trees planted; 687 trees removed in prior year
Funding
Parks and Recreation
Lead Department
Parks and Recreation
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
3
4
Urban Forester with the Parks
department waters a newly
planted tree at Indian School Park.
Shade structures over a playground at Roadrunner
Park.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 13
Add natural and built shade to City facilities –
Milestone Met
Nearly 600 trees and 9 shade structures were added to City facilities last year, as
well as the new Light Rail corridor, with a focus on outdoor spaces used by the
public. This cross-departmental effort will continue as guided by ongoing tree and
shade assessments to prioritize facilities that do not meet the standards
established in the Shade Phoenix Plan.
Year 1 Milestone
Increase shade coverage at 5 facilities
Metrics
587 trees planted; 9 shade structures installed
Funding
GO Bond Program (portion of $7.7M Heat Resilience program and
other projects), IRA ($0.25M)
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Aviation, Convention Center, Fire, Housing, Human Services,
Innovation, Library, Parks and Recreation, Police, Planning and
Development, Public Transit, Public Works, Street Transportation,
Water, Office of Environmental Programs, Office of the City
Engineer
Build Green Stormwater Infrastructure projects in the
right-of-way – Milestone Met
Street Transportation, Heat Response and Mitigation, and other departments
participating in the City’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Working Group
drafted criteria to rank future GSI projects. Using these criteria, the team ranked 25
candidate projects and finalized 3 locations to be submitted for consideration in the
City of Phoenix Streets Department Capitol Improvement Project annual call for
projects.
Year 1 Milestone
Finalizing location for 3 projects
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
IRA ($1.23M), Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Street
Transportation Operating Budget
Lead Department
Street Transportation, Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Parks and Recreation, Water Services, Planning and Development,
Office of Environmental Programs, Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Working Group
5
6
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 14
Expand Cool Corridors network – Milestone Met
The Street Transportation Department has planted more than 3,300 trees
throughout the city with dedicated Cool Corridor program funding since the
program was launched in 2022. Completed and scheduled tree plantings through
the Cool Corridor program are available online. With the adoption of the Shade
Phoenix Plan in November 2024, Phoenix City Council directed staff to evolve this
program to focus on creating comprehensive, high-impact projects in areas with
high pedestrian use and low shade coverage. Multiple city departments have
collaborated to identify and evaluate new potential project sites over the past year.
Year 1 Milestone
Assess potential project sites and complete prioritization assessment
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
General Fund ($1.4M/year), Department Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) funds
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Street Transportation, Parks and Recreation, Office of Innovation,
Planning and Development
Add shade structures at bus stops – Milestone Met
The Public Transit Department constructed 81 new shade shelters at bus stops.
This brings the total number of stops with shelters up to 3,164 and the percentage
of stops with shelters up to 78%. Public Transit continues to prioritize unshaded
stops with the highest ridership for future investments.
Year 1 Milestone
Install at least 80 shade structures
Metrics
78% of bus stops providing shade; 81 bus shelters installed
Funding
Public Transportation 2050 (T2050), Public Transit General Fund
Lead Department
Public Transit
Partners
Street Transportation, Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
7
8
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 15
Construct Phoenix Sidewalk Shade installations in high-
traffic public right-of-way – Milestone Met
Design and engineering for 19 shade structures located at stoplight intersections
and crosswalks across the city was completed in Fall 2024. In early 2025, a
construction contract was procured. The structures are currently in fabrication,
with installation planned to begin in Fall 2025 and be completed by Spring 2026.
For more information on the Sidewalk Shade Project, visit the project website.
Year 1 Milestone
Begin construction of 10 shade structures
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
ARPA ($3M)
Lead Department
Street Transportation
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Office of Arts and Culture,
Office of Innovation, Office of Sustainability, Office of Public Health
Pilot a shade structure right-of-way revocable permit –
Milestone Met
Staff drafted proposed code changes and internal process updates with the goal of
streamlining the process to obtain a revocable permit for shade structures in the
right-of-way and minimizing the cost of obtaining and maintaining such a permit.
Over the next year, staff will obtain feedback from additional stakeholders on the
proposed changes and prepare final versions for consideration by City Council and
city management.
Year 1 Milestone
Draft requirements for permit
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Planning and Development
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Street Transportation
9
10
Mock-up of structures for the Sidewalk Shade project. Artists Sara Altieri with Green Heart Creative Services and Isaac Caruso.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 16
Complete implementation of the Community Canopy
Grant Program – Milestone Met
The Community Canopy program planted 1,927 trees on over 1,000 residential
properties throughout 31 Phoenix neighborhoods. Through the Community Canopy
program, residents in qualifying neighborhoods can have up to two trees
professionally planted in their yard at no cost. Program participants also receive
complimentary supplies and education to help with tree care. Community Canopy
won a joint 2025 Award of Distinction for Climate Action Solutions through Arizona
Forward's Environmental Excellence Award Program.
The Community Canopy program is funded to continue for an additional four years.
Community members, neighborhood associations, churches and 501(c)(3) groups
in qualifying areas can apply for trees, services and support for tree planting at
single family residences, churches and multifamily residences (maximum of three
units).
Year 1 Milestone
Plant 1,000 trees
Metrics
1,927 trees planted; 1,000+ properties participating
Funding
ARPA ($2M), IRA ($2.5M)
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Neighborhood Services, West Coast Arborists, Dusty Landscaping,
Treeland Nurseries, Whitfill Nursery, Desert Tree Farm
11
A contractor planting an
Ironwood tree through the
Community Canopy Grant.
Happy caretaker of a new Southern
Oak through the Community Canopy
Grant.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 17
Develop a permit for small tree planting projects –
Milestone Met
Staff from the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation and the Planning and
Development Department have collaborated to draft a streamlined permit for
multifamily and commercial properties who are seeking to add up to five trees to
their landscape. The next fiscal year will focus on continued engagement with
internal and external stakeholders to finalize a new permitting process proposal.
Year 1 Milestone
Draft requirements for permit
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Planning and Development
Partners
Street Transportation
Develop sample shade stipulations for Village Planning
Committees and Planning Commission – Milestone Met
Staff from the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation and the Planning and
Development Department have reviewed existing stipulations that improve shade
on projects. Shade stipulations were applied on 40 rezoning cases in the past fiscal
year. Together, the team has started to draft new stipulations and improved
language on existing stipulations to increase the tools available to the Village
Planning Committees to increase natural and built shade on new developments.
Year 1 Milestone
Complete review of existing stipulations and begin drafting
enhancements
Metrics
40 shade stipulations issued
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Planning and Development
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
12
13
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 18
STRATEGY 2: PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN EXISTING
SHADE
The community works together to support a thriving urban forest and well-
maintained built shade
Continue and expand tree replacement program using
‘right tree, right place’ and ‘no-net-loss’ approaches –
Milestone Met
The Street Transportation Department manages a tree replacement program for
trees lost in public landscape maintenance areas along city streets as well as
portions of the freeway system. Last year, 2,052 replacement trees were planted.
Tree replacement work is generally performed by contractors, including tree
removals and tree planting.
Year 1 Milestone
Plant 500 replacement trees
Metrics
2,052 replacement trees planted
Funding
~$390K/year funding allocated in Street Maintenance Operation
budget, Salt River Project, Arizona Public Service
Lead Department
Street Transportation
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Parks and Recreation,
Landscape maintenance contractors
14
Sign warning drivers to be cautious around arborists.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 19
Maintain City-managed trees and shade structures –
Making Progress – Making Progress
Caring for and maintaining the City’s existing tree canopy is critical to ensuring a
healthy and thriving city. Staff and contractors supporting at least 12 departments
continue to perform regular maintenance work, including trimming, pruning, and
removal of dead limbs. Staff and contracts have also continued to ensure that
shade structures are in good working condition through routine maintenance. Over
the past year staff have compiled and begun analysis of maintenance protocol
currently used across all departments and contractors and best practices will be
adopted into a consistent protocol to be developed in the upcoming year.
Year 1 Milestone
Develop maintenance protocol across all departments
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation General Fund
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Planning and Development, Arizona State Department of Forestry
and Fire Management, Parks and Recreation, Street
Transportation, Office of Innovation
15
Shade Structure shading a picnic table in Little Canyon
Park
Urban Forestry crew with the City of Phoenix Parks
Department.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 20
Strengthen enforcement of tree code – Making Progress
The City is currently reviewing its processes regarding the enforcement of tree code.
Phoenix was awarded a grant from the Ford Foundation to help accelerate business
engagement and tree health on private property, including attention to enforcement
processes. A new staff member is expected to be hired by the end of 2025 and will
work with the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation and Neighborhood Services
Department to test and implement process revisions.
Year 1 Milestone
Create pilot program for enhanced enforcement
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Neighborhood Services
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Planning and
Development, Law
16
Dead tree on private property. Please submit
complaints about dead or removed trees to
myPHX311.
Dead trees within a right-of-way in front of a
private property.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 21
STRATEGY 3: EVALUATE AND INSTITUTIONALIZE
Ongoing implementation and improvement of shade efforts to scale their
impacts and maximize benefits of shade
Complete citywide tree and shade assessments –
Milestone Met
Initial citywide tree and shade assessments were completed and presented in the
Shade Phoenix Plan. Staff are keeping up to date with new datasets, tools, and
partners that can provide the most recent, accurate, and robust information. As
new data become available, an updated tree and shade coverage assessment will
be conducted and compared to the previous assessment. Further analysis is in
progress to measure whether individual sites are meeting shade goals. New to this
report, citywide shade coverage by property type has been added to complement
the tree canopy coverage analysis from the Shade Phoenix Plan (see below).
Year 1 Milestone
Complete tree assessment; Complete shade assessment
Metrics
11% median census tract canopy coverage; 15% median census tract shade
cover at 12pm, 19% shade cover at 3pm, and 41% shade cover at 6pm
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Google, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Arizona State
University (ASU)
Shade Percent by Property Type and Time of Day. Shade cover % by parcel property types, with building footprints
removed from analysis. Property types are groups of similar property use codes. “Private public space” includes
residential recreation centers/clubhouses, greenbelts/retention basins, open space and walkways owned by
HOA/community, and golf courses. Shade coverage data is sourced from a partnership with the University of
California Los Angeles Luskin Center for Innovation (Buo, 2023), Arizona State University, and American Forests.
17
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 22
Conduct and maintain an inventory of trees and shade
structures on City property – Making Progress
The contract to conduct a new municipal tree inventory was awarded in summer
2024 and the inventory work is ongoing. Approximately 22,000 trees were
inventoried as of June 30, 2025. The inventory is expected to be completed in 2026.
With respect to shade structures, the City’s master inventory now includes a total of
675 shade structures (ramadas and canopies) in parks and 3,164 bus stops with
shade shelters. Work to inventory shade structures on property managed by other
city departments is ongoing.
Year 1 Milestone
Finalize tree inventory; Finalize shade inventory
Metrics
21,959 trees inventoried so far; 3,839 shade structures inventoried
Funding
Parks and Recreation (tree inventory), N/A (shade structure inventory)
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Parks and Recreation, Street Transportation
Provide an annual progress report on Shade Phoenix –
Milestone Met
The Shade Phoenix Plan annual report documents the City’s progress on each of the
36 actions approved by City Council in November 2024. The first annual progress
report was presented to the Phoenix City Council Transportation, Infrastructure,
and Transportation Subcommittee in September 2025 and is posted publicly as part
of the City’s commitment to accountability and transparency on tree and shade
initiatives.
Year 1 Milestone
Develop reporting mechanisms and begin data collection
Metrics
100% of actions are underway; 14% of actions are making progress
Funding
General Fund
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
All relevant City departments
18
19
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 23
Update the Shade Phoenix Plan every 5 years –
Milestone Met
The next full update to the Shade Phoenix Plan is due by November 2029.
Year 1 Milestone
N/A
Funding
General Fund
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
All relevant departments, all relevant stakeholders, City Council
Review and improve City processes governing
landscaping and tree care – Milestone Met
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation staff met with the Budget and Research
Department to review their internal landscape maintenance report which detailed
an assessment of current tree care practices and costs throughout the City. The
report included a comparison of Phoenix’s maintenance practices with peers
around the country through a survey. Moving forward, the Office of Heat Response
and Mitigation will continue to engage relevant departments and working groups to
explore and pursue the implementation of recommendations that emerged from
the study.
Year 1 Milestone
Complete initial study, pursue recommendations in working groups
Funding
General Fund
Lead Department
Budget and Research
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, All relevant departments
20
21
Healthy small Desert Willow in a park setting
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 24
Assess and improve proper planting and maintenance
practices for City managed urban trees, following
industry-standard best management practices –
Milestone Met
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation staff reviewed City of Phoenix Code and
collected departmental tree planting and maintenance practice documents and
contracts with landscape maintenance contractors to compare against current
best practices and standards as developed by the International Society for
Arboriculture (ISA). The interdepartmental Urban Forestry Implementation Team will
prepare a comprehensive report to present to City Council that will recommend
changes and updates to be made to current City practices including planting and
maintenance contracts.
Year 1 Milestone
Collect data and benchmarking guidelines to inform assessment
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Parks and Recreation, Street Transportation, Budget and Research
Build institutional capacity for Green Stormwater
Infrastructure – Milestone Met
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) involves the use of plant and soil systems to
manage water flow into the public storm drain system or across surfaces and is an
important tool for creating landscapes that can more sustainably support healthy
urban trees and vegetation. Over the past year, 93 employees received training in a
variety of GSI topics, and a cross-department GSI working group met quarterly. The
working group’s efforts include the development of a GSI strategic plan and
streamlining the City’s permitting processes related to GSI.
Year 1 Milestone
Train at least 10 employees on GSI
Metrics
93 people trained
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Planning and Development, GSI Working Group
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Office of Environmental
Programs, Street Transportation, Parks and Recreation
22
23
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 25
Re-establish cross-departmental working group on
urban forestry and establish a new built shade working
group – Milestone Met
The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation convened multiple cross-departmental
working groups to address urban forestry and built shade needs. The cross-
departmental Urban Forestry Implementation Team (UFIT) includes 12 city
departments and representatives from Downtown Phoenix, Inc. Three separate
working groups were established to address specific built shade challenges as
related to both public and private property.
Year 1 Milestone
Urban Forestry workgroup meeting regularly; Launch Built Shade
workgroup
Metrics
29 City Departments engaged; 36 City employees engaged
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Aviation, Convention Center, Office of Environmental Programs,
Fire, Housing, Human Services, Library, Neighborhood Services,
Parks and Recreation, Planning and Development, Police, Public
Transit, Public Works, Street Transportation, Sustainability, Water
Services
24
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 26
Update City of Phoenix plant species guidance –
Milestone Met
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation staff analyzed species lists from the primary
tree planting and maintenance departments at the City of Phoenix. Lists were
reviewed to determine if the included species were consistent across various
departments and if new research has suggested the removal or inclusion of any
other tree species. An interdepartmental working group will next determine if there
are any species to remove from the lists, especially those that are deemed to be too
high-water use or are not suitable for our climate. Ongoing work with the Planning
and Development Department will next examine species lists used in guidance for
private development. Moving forward, City of Phoenix departments will use one
consistent recommended tree list for trees along the streetscape, parks and city
owned and privately owned properties. This list will address the Planning and
Development Department goal of integrating planting requirements into project
specific zoning stipulations and updated area specific planting lists.
Year 1 Milestone
Analyze existing tree species guidance
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Planning and Development
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Office of Environmental
Programs,
Parks and Recreation, Street Transportation, Law, Water Services
25
Palo Verde is a low water, native tree.
Red Push Pistache is an arid adapted,
low water, non-native tree
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 27
Embed shade recommendations into City-owned building
design standards and facility review – Milestone Met
The City of Phoenix Facility Review Committee is a cross-departmental team of
subject matter experts that provide input on the design and construction of City
facilities. The Committee has been reorganized within the past fiscal year in
preparation for the review of new projects funded by the voter-approved General
Obligation Bond. The Committee is expected to begin reviewing individual projects
in fall 2025 and the review will include attention to shade and landscaping
components as aligned with the Shade Phoenix Plan and other city policy.
Year 1 Milestone
Review projects for compliance with shade recommendations
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Public Works
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Street Transportation,
Office of the City Engineer
Pilot a Public Shade Fund – Making Progress
Staff have completed initial research regarding the potential implementation of a
development offset fund for projects unable to meet tree and shade requirements
(e.g., because of utility conflicts). Research and stakeholder engagement will
continue into 2026.
Year 1 Milestone
Conduct research, stakeholder and public engagement
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
N/A
Lead Department
Planning and Development
Partners
Private developers, Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Law
26
27
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 28
Integrate tree and shade goals in all relevant City plans
– Milestone Met
The City of Phoenix relies on a network of plans to guide its efforts to become the
most sustainable desert city in the world. Staff from the Office of Heat Response
and Mitigation have worked with colleagues across several departments to align
relevant sections of city plans currently in revision or in development with the
values, goals, and actions of the Shade Phoenix Plan. Focal points of this work over
the past year include the update to Phoenix’s Climate Action Plan, as well as
ongoing Transit Oriented Development planning processes. Staff have also started
work to align Shade Phoenix Plan goals with future updates to the Parks and
Recreation Master Plan and the City’s new Energy Access Plan.
Year 1 Milestone
All relevant City plans incorporate tree and shade goals
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
FEMA BRIC Grant ($300K)
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
All relevant departments
Create a Tree Steward Program – Making Progress
The grant application for the Tree Steward grantee organization opened in June
2025. With funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the City will collaborate
with a non-profit community organization to hire and train ten Community Tree
Stewards. These stewards will work in conjunction with the City to educate the
public on tree care, lead neighborhood tree plantings, inventory and monitor trees,
and inspire residents about the value of trees.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management has developed a training
manual in collaboration with Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation that
will be available in English and Spanish. Community Tree Stewards will be trained in
the following subjects: tree biology, soil, water, tree identification, tree selection
and planting, tree maintenance and on-going care, biological and physical tree
threats, and the benefits of trees and environmental justice. Recruitment and
training will begin Fall 2025.
Year 1 Milestone
Create contracts with non-profit partners to operate program
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ($2M)
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Parks and Recreation, Community-based organizations, Arizona
State Department of Forestry and Fire Management
28
29
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 29
Support youth workforce development for urban
forestry career pathways – Milestone Met
The Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) is launching a new urban tree workforce
program, which will start in Fall 2025. The program primarily supports aspiring and
young professionals aged 18–30. Phoenix will collaborate with AZCC to be able to
host cohorts of Corps members to support a range of duties related to tree
maintenance on public and private sites.
Year 1 Milestone
Design and launch program with non-profit partners
Metrics
Metric not yet available for this action
Funding
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) via Arizona State University
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Arizona State University, Arizona Conservation Corps, Arizona
Landscape Contractors Association, Bartlett Tree Experts, Arizona
Community Tree Council, Arizona Nursery Association, Arizona
Cooperative Initiative, Parks and Recreation
Provide Certified Arborist Training to professionals and
residents – Milestone Met
The Arizona Community Tree Council (ACTC) holds an educational training every
spring in Maricopa County to prepare students for the certified arborist test that
occurs at the end of the training. The springtime training is open to qualified
members of the public and is held weekly for six weeks. The class is also open to
current arborists who need annual CEU training. The Parks Department
collaborated with the Street Transportation Department and the Office of Heat
Response and Mitigation to promote this opportunity to internal and external
partners in the City of Phoenix. Seven City of Phoenix staff members participated in
the training in Spring 2025. Two city staff members became certified arborists.
Additionally, two staff members from partner organizations took the training and
became certified arborists. Staff are currently promoting the next iteration of this
course, to be held in Spring 2026.
Year 1 Milestone
Promote Certified Arborist training to other City Departments and the
public
Metrics
1 training provided
Funding
General Fund
Lead Department
Parks and Recreation, Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Arizona Community Tree Council
30
31
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 30
STRATEGY 4: EDUCATE AND EMPOWER
Phoenicians understand and support the importance and value of trees
and shade
Launch Shade Phoenix public communications
campaign – Milestone Met
City staff developed and distributed content through a variety of traditional and
social media channels over the past year to engage residents and businesses on
the Shade Phoenix Plan. Highlights include targeted outreach campaigns and
promotional materials for the Community Canopy Program, launching and updating
a public-facing StoryMap, speaking at several community events and neighborhood
meetings, and participating in interviews with print, radio, and television media
partners. Staff continue ongoing dialogue with stakeholders to refine priorities for
public engagement and to develop new engagement and promotional strategies.
Year 1 Milestone
Consult with stakeholders on communications campaign
Metrics
1,000+ people reached
Funding
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Urban and Community Forestry program
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Communications, Departmental Public Information Officers
Create shade award and recognition opportunities for
innovative projects in Phoenix – Milestone Met
The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation recognized the contributions of
community members who participated in the Community Canopy program. In
collaboration with Flying Fists Media, staff produced a documentary titled Phoenix
Heroes: Giving Trees a Voice, which showcases the work accomplished during the
first year of Community Canopy. Staff hosted a film premiere and end-of-season
tree planting celebration in May 2025, at the Encanto Park Clubhouse. The event
featured highlights from the documentary, which captured the stories and
successes of local residents and partners involved in enhancing urban tree
coverage, as well as a panel discussion with local experts and community leaders.
Year 1 Milestone
Develop shade award and identify other recognition opportunities
Metrics
1 project awarded
Funding
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation General Fun
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Planning and Development, Arizona State Department of Forestry
and Fire Management, Parks and Recreation, Street
Transportation, Office of Innovation
32
33
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 31
Commission local artist to design and deploy public art
installations in public art spaces – Milestone Met
As part of the ¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade project, nine winning artists were
selected from over 80 submissions by a diverse panel of specialists from the City of
Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, the Office of Innovation, the
Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture, as well as local and national artists and design
professionals. The ¡Sombra! Artists experimented with innovative materials and
processes, creative themes, and community engagement activities resulting in
temporary art installations which were unveiled throughout the City of Phoenix in
the Spring of 2025. In total, the celebratory unveiling events engaged 1,591
community members. In Fall 2025, the Office of Arts and Culture will be working
closely with partners to determine which projects are suitable candidates for
permanent installation.
To learn more about Sombra, visit: sombraphx.org
Year 1 Milestone
Announce winning artists and install public art projects
Metrics
8 shade structures installed; 1,591 people participating in the program
Funding
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge ($1M)
Lead Department
Arts and Culture
Partners
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Parks and Recreation,
Office of Innovation, Artlink, Arizona State University (ASU)
34
1Shade structure constructed with artist and landscape
architect Jessica Arias through the Sombra! project.
Shade structure constructed with artist Feng-Feng Yeh through the
Sombra! project.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 32
Develop neighborhood tree plans in partnership with
local communities – Milestone Met
This new initiative, named Urban Nature, is led by staff and professors from Arizona
State University’s Sustainable Solutions Services and The Design School and with
community organizers from Unlimited Potential. Urban Nature is working with 4
neighborhoods in the City of Phoenix: South Phoenix, Central City, Maryvale and
Sunnyslope. Year 1 of this program focused on one neighborhood around Lindo Park
and one along the South Central Corridor Area. Two workshops were held to collect
data and stories through playing a community learning game called “Dreams of
Shade.” 95 people attended the workshop in Lindo Park and 175 people attended
the workshop in South Central Corridor. The collected data and stories were
analyzed and presented back to the community in two follow up workshops where
residents could see their values and places within their community where they
wanted to see more trees. Subsequently, draft neighborhood plans were developed.
The process is being iteratively evaluated and improved ahead of upcoming
workshops in Maryvale and Sunnyslope.
Year 1 Milestone
Host 4 workshops
Metrics
1 plan written; 2,500+ residents engaged
Funding
Inflation Reduction Act Funds to Arizona State University
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solution Service,
Neighborhood Services, Planning and Development
35
Flyers for a recent workshop in Sunnyslope for the neighborhood tree plans.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 33
Create and distribute materials for a variety of
audiences on natural and built shade – Milestone Met
Staff used new and existing resources created by public and private partners to
engage and activate a variety of audiences throughout Phoenix. Topics included
proper tree maintenance practices (e.g. trimming and watering), tree and heat
equity, urban climate science, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, and public health.
All resources aligned with the values of this plan and were provided in Spanish and
English.
Year 1 Milestone
Create single packet of 'Shade Phoenix' materials for distribution
Metrics
1000+ people reached
Funding
Citywide General Fund
Lead Department
Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
Partners
Street Transportation, Planning and Development, Water Services,
Office of Environmental Programs, Office of Innovation, Parks
and Recreation, Communications, Trees Matter, Maricopa County,
American Forests, Arizona Sustainability Alliance, U.S. Forest
Service, Watershed Management Group
36
A blessing sign installed with a tree planted with the Community
Canopy program. Neighborhoods often pay to put their own spin on
the group tree plantings.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 34
MOVING FORWARD
An immediate priority for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is to ensure that the five actions that did not
fully meet their reporting milestone are accelerated to be on track. No significant obstacles
were encountered that jeopardize the completion of these actions within the overall
framework of the Shade Phoenix Plan. The five actions identified to be not fully on track are:
developing consistent tree and shade maintenance protocol to be used by city
departments, creating a pilot program to enhance enforcement of the city's tree code,
completing a comprehensive inventory of municipal tree and shade assets, completing
stakeholder engagement to inform a pilot public shade fund, and launching a new Tree
Steward program. Factors contributing to slower progress than anticipated for these
actions include limitations on staff capacity and delays in hiring timelines and contracting.
Additionally, in Fiscal Year 2025-26,
staff will be placing special emphasis
on all Shade Phoenix Plan actions
that pertain to tree and shade
management and maintenance
practices. As the pace of tree planting
and shade structure installation
accelerates, it is imperative to ensure
that management and maintenance
practices are optimized to maximize
the return on investments in new
assets. City departments have made
positive strides in recent years to
shorten maintenance intervals, improve contractor accountability, and increase staff
capacity, but staff and residents continue to seek better overall outcomes. Completion of
the city's new tree inventory, anticipated in 2026, will be particularly instructive for staff to
understand successes and deficiencies in current maintenance practices.
Shade structure constructed with artist Bobby Zokaites through the
Sombra! Project.
SHADE PHOENIX 2025 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 35
Recent storms in late August and early
September that have led to significant
losses in the urban canopy in certain
neighborhoods of Phoenix highlight some of
the persistent challenges that need to be
addressed in future years to improve
survival rates and the overall resilience of
our urban forest. Factors that compromise
trees' ability to withstand storms and other
environmental stressors include shallow
root systems, poor planting techniques,
girdling roots, poor drainage systems,
pruning techniques, internal rot, insect damage, wounds, overwatering, and soil health and
the planting environment. The City’s inter-departmental Urban Forestry Implementation
Team (UFIT), as well as the Metro Phoenix Urban Forestry Roundtable, will play important
roles in convening relevant stakeholders to address these challenges.
Residents are invited to continue to follow the implementation of the Shade Phoenix Plan
and engage with Shade Phoenix data and resources by visiting phoenix.gov/shade and the
Shade Phoenix StoryMap.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Web: Phoenix.gov/Shade
E-mail: shadephx@phoenix.gov
Phone: 602-262-1800 (Office of Heat Response and Mitigation)
Unloading a full truck of trees for the Community
Canopy program.