As climate change intensifies, the way we live is increasingly influenced by rising temperatures and urban heat islands, particularly in Las Vegas. Under the harsh sun, trees have become a rare and invaluable resource.
In a recent initiative to combat this challenge, Clark County in Nevada organized a spring tree giveaway, distributing hundreds of young trees to eager residents. The response was overwhelming; all the trees were claimed within just one hour.
One resident, Lulu Banks, was eligible to receive two free trees due to her North Las Vegas neighborhood being classified as an ‘urban heat island.’ These areas experience significantly higher temperatures than their cooler counterparts, driven in part by a lack of green space and shade. Banks was enthusiastic about planting her trees, one near her front window and another outside her bedroom, hoping they would provide shade and reduce her air conditioning bills during the scorching summer months.
Research shows that trees can lower surrounding temperatures by at least 10 degrees, which is essential as Las Vegas grapples with extreme heat. Last summer, the city recorded temperatures soaring to 120 degrees, resulting in heat-related fatalities and drawing attention to the need for effective heat mitigation strategies.
Recognizing the urgent need for action, state lawmakers passed legislation in May mandating that the largest cities and counties devise heat mitigation plans by the following summer. In Las Vegas, collaboration among city officials, county authorities, and nonprofit organizations is fostering increased tree planting efforts, particularly in the hottest neighborhoods.
Ariel Choinard, who heads the Southern Nevada Heat Resilience Lab, notes that heat disproportionately harms lower-income neighborhoods. These areas often have less tree canopy and older, energy-inefficient homes, contributing to what she terms ‘shade disparity.’
During a visit to several urban heat islands in April, Choinard illustrated how heat is exacerbated by the built environment, revealing significant temperature differences influenced by tree cover. A 2022 heat mapping project indicated that parts of East Las Vegas and North Las Vegas could be up to 11 degrees hotter than other regions, with the residents of these areas facing tough choices between keeping their homes cool and affording basic necessities.
On a particularly warm day, Choinard measured temperatures under a solitary mature tree, finding it significantly cooler compared to the surrounding landscape. This example highlighted the crucial role trees play in community resilience against heat.
Using a thermometer, Choinard examined a picnic table in a tree-scarce neighborhood, recording a scorching 130 degrees in direct sunlight. Nearby asphalt reached even more alarming temperatures of 144 degrees. Such extreme heat not only results in discomfort but also poses health risks, increasing instances of burns among both residents and pets.
The collective efforts of the county, city, and community organizations focus on planting more trees to combat the rising temperatures. According to Brad Daseler, the city’s urban forester, the goal is to plant 60,000 trees by 2050, amounting to more than 2,000 trees annually.
The selection of tree species is crucial; the city primarily introduces drought-resistant and shade-providing trees, including nonnative varieties like oak trees from northern Mexico and eucalyptus trees from Australia. Daseler emphasizes the importance of choosing the right trees for specific environments, with strategies in place to ensure successful planting.
Currently, Las Vegas is facing a severe drought, categorized as ‘exceptional’ by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Daseler acknowledges the challenge of balancing water usage while increasing tree coverage, a vital consideration in the desert landscape.
Beyond immediate tree-planting efforts, educational initiatives are taking place in local schools to engage youth in environmental stewardship. For example, children and parents at Booker Elementary School created garden clubs, planting trees, fruits, and vegetables together.
One third-grader, Donovan Pantoja, shared his learning about the importance of watering plants effectively, reflecting a growing environmental consciousness among students. His mother, Natalie Hernandez, remarked on the lasting impact these lessons could have, stating, ‘And then they may teach their kids. And hopefully that trickles down to try to conserve and help the planet.’
As cities continue to develop strategies and solutions to mitigate the effects of urban heat, community efforts like these represent a significant move towards sustainability and resilience against a changing climate.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/09/nx-s1-5340363/las-vegas-climate-change-solution-trees
