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Mesa marks Arbor Day, highlights volunteer Tree Stewards and urban canopy goals
Summary
Mesa officials and partner organizations celebrated Arbor Day, noted the city’s 15-year Tree City USA recognition and highlighted the federally funded Mesa Tree Stewards volunteer program and a partnership on a million-tree initiative.
Mesa recognized Arbor Day at its April 21 council meeting and highlighted volunteer and partner efforts aimed at expanding the city’s tree canopy.
Stefan Addison, the city official who introduced the recognition, said Mesa is “celebrating Arbor Day and our fifteenth year as being recognized as a Tree City USA.” He thanked volunteer groups and partner organizations supporting tree plantings across the city.
Ashley, a project organizer with the Mesa Tree Stewards program, described the volunteer training and planting work. “The Mesa Tree Stewards are a dedicated group of volunteers who complete hands on training courses focused on the installation, care, and maintenance of trees,” Ashley said. She said graduates contribute 10 hours of volunteer service annually and that cohort plantings target neighborhoods identified using a climate and economic justice screening tool.
Ashley reported planting numbers for two cohorts: she said Cohort 1 completed a planting at Sherwood Park with a total of 94 trees and that planting directly served about 3,400 residents within a 10-minute walk; she said Cohort 2 planted 77 trees between Whittier Elementary School and nearby neighborhoods, directly serving 486 students and about 20 homes. Ashley also used the phrase “this is a total of a 71 trees so far,” an apparent inconsistency in the figures reported.
Jake, director of Southwest Urban Forestry with American Forests, said his group is partnering with Mesa on longer-range canopy goals. “We look forward to working with mayor, council, the urban forestry team to to put together a clear cohesive vision for the million tree initiative in 2025 and beyond,” Jake said. He added that a healthier tree canopy delivers “cleaner air, cooler streets, and stronger communities.”
City officials said volunteer programs and partnership funding are central to the city’s strategy to increase canopy cover, and they invited residents to learn about future volunteer cohort opportunities. The city did not provide a precise current canopy percentage or an exact target timetable in the remarks at the meeting.
Ending: Council members and the presenters paused for a photo after the recognition and directed residents interested in volunteering or cohort participation to follow up with the presenters after the meeting.
