As the urbanization of the human population increases, the destruction of green spaces in urban areas is increasing at an alarming rate. Urban areas with less tree coverage are often communities of color and tend to have higher levels of air pollution, which is linked to increased rates of respiratory diseases, particularly in children. Latino neighborhoods have up to 21% less tree canopy coverage compared to predominantly White neighborhoods in the same cities.
Solutions for nature access in urban areas should be prioritized to hit the nexus of biodiversity, climate gains, and societal benefits. In the U.S., the biggest hot spots for nature loss within communities of color are in metropolitan areas, usually Latino and African-American neighborhoods.
“For more than a decade, Hispanic Access has catapulted our trust-based community networks into action by providing access, capacity, and the belief to create beneficial changes in their communities,” said Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Maite Arce. "We are thrilled to support the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to equip underserved communities with not only more trees and plants in their neighborhoods but also the knowledge and resources to engage in urban forestry.”
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s Sonoran Mesquite Barrio Restoration Alliance (SOMBRA) project, aims to plant 20,000 trees across Southern Arizona by 2030, with a focus on climate resilience and community engagement. In partnership with the Hispanic Access Foundation, the USDA Forest Service, and staff from the Arizona Department of Forestry, the project will leverage technical expertise to ensure tree planting efforts are executed according to best practices. Special attention will be given to working closely with the Tohono O'odham (TO) Nation and the City of Tucson to align with their ongoing mesquite mitigation programs, ensuring that trees planted on tribal lands in the San Xavier and Gu Vo Districts, as well as on Tucson’s public properties, adhere to local standards.
Beyond planting, the SOMBRA team will conduct training workshops for new tree owners, equipping them with the knowledge necessary to care for young trees during their crucial establishment phase. Culturally meaningful community engagement will be fostered through these workshops, which will include the provision of food, and encouraging active participation.
“We are thrilled to partner with Hispanic Access Foundation to further our Sonoran Mesquite Barrio Restoration Alliance program, which aims to plant 20,000 trees across Southern Arizona by 2030," said Malea Chavez, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. "This new partnership will allow us to expand further, creating ten additional grow sites providing much-needed tree cover, food sources, and cooling relief to the region’s most vulnerable populations.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service awarded more than $1 billion in competitive grants through the Urban and Community Forestry Program. Hispanic Access Foundation and the other awardees will be working towards advancing the mission of Justice40, to deliver 40% of the program’s investments through established and new partnerships working to support disadvantaged communities experiencing low tree canopy and environmental justice issues.