Building Climate Resilient Green Spaces

Green space, park access, and trees

South LA Central LA West LA East LA South Bay

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

LA is increasingly vulnerable to threats from climate change, with rising temperatures causing more frequent and intense climate events. Among urban populations, low income communities of color are disproportionately affected by climate change. In LA, they are twice as likely to live near a refinery and experience water contamination than white communities. They are more likely to live in densely populated areas that retain more heat because of the lack of natural vegetation. These communities also have less access to environmental education and safe, green space. South L.A., where many of our 8 project sites are located, is one of the least green areas of the city, with only 12% tree cover (West LA, for example, has a tree canopy of 35%). In one year a mature tree will absorb 48 lbs. of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange. More trees and green space correlates with cooler surface temperatures and greater climate resilience for school campuses.

Our project transforms overlooked areas on school campuses into climate-resilient green spaces that support education, community, and environmental justice. With grant support, we’ll partner with school administrators and Surfrider to identify areas at 8 Title 1 LAUSD elementary school sites to convert into climate-resilient green spaces. With guidance from Surfrider, we’ll plant drought-tolerant California natives, sustainable shade trees, and bioswales to manage stormwater runoff in an eco-friendly way. To extend our impact, we’ll publish model templates for other schools’ greening initiatives, such as a waterwise wildflower meadow. Campus greening efforts are supported by 10 1-hour free, public workshops for educators, administrators, and community members to raise awareness of rain capture, drought-tolerant gardening, and climate resilience. By expanding access to green space and environmental education opportunities, our project nurtures climate resilience from the ground up.

If our work is successful, L.A. will be more climate-resilient and equitable. Our project empowers communities by increasing access to safe, green space and holistic environmental education, resources often lacking in historically underserved areas of the city. Free, public workshops will empower educators, volunteers, and passionate Angelenos with tangible strategies and skills to build climate resilience in their own neighborhoods. Two of the ten workshops will be followed by a 2-hour activation where attendees can participate in implementing the school greening project discussed in the workshop. The drought-tolerant green spaces we collectively create across 8 LAUSD sites, along with our sharable design templates for cultivating native green spaces, will serve as replicable models for environmental change on and off campuses across L.A. Our ultimate goal is to see a more climate-resilient, environmentally literate city, where green space is both accessible and a tool for equity.