RICHMOND, Va. — A Richmond nonprofit is working to cool Southside and East End neighborhoods one tree at a time.
Amy Wentz co-founded Southside ReLeaf to help Richmond residents in the hottest neighborhoods add more shade and cool their homes with trees, which is considered nature’s best air conditioner.
“Getting off work, you're walking to the closest bus stop and if you don't have the shade that trees bring, that could be very devastating,” Wentz said.
Studies show areas with less tree canopy, and more pavement can experience temperatures 16 degrees hotter than leafier neighborhoods.
“I’m so passionate about this work because extreme heat really can be a detriment to someone's health,"Wentz said. "At Southside ReLeaf, we're really focused on increasing people's livelihood and enhancing their quality of life."
As part of the Cool the City campaign, Southside ReLeaf is hosting a tree giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Liberation Church at 5501 Midlothian Turnpike.
A limited number of trees and seedlings will be available for walk-ups, so advance reservations are strongly encouraged.
Upon request, volunteers will provide delivery and planting assistance to residents with limited mobility and transportation access.
The nonprofit is offering up to 200 free, small container trees that can be planted at home.
More than 100 seedlings will also be available for students, renters, and families without yard space to grow in containers until they can be planted permanently.
Priority will be given to residents living in the 23224, 23225, and 23234 zip codes.
"There were certain neighborhoods that were deemed more worthy to have this beautiful tree canopy than others. Now we're trying to right those wrongs, and we're trying to really focus on the neighborhoods that never really had that access and to get them up to level playing field," Wentz said.
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