Description of Individual or organization
Established in 1982, Texas Trees Foundation has been improving the quality of life in North Texas communities for 35 years. We have planted 510,843 trees to date in school yards, neighborhoods, parks and public rights-of-way. Our earliest signature 1994 project developed Pioneer Plaza in downtown Dallas. Since then we have launched Cool Schools, NeighborWoods and Downtown Dallas to strategically plant trees in the areas in most need based on our urban heat island research data. Our goal is a cleaner, greener, cooler community for all who call North Texas home.
Leadership (Nominee demonstrates leadership through example, knowledge, attitude)
Texas Trees Foundation is a leader in urban forestry and urban heat island research. Completed in August of 2017 the largest UHI study of its kind, conducted in partnership with Georgia Tech, found Dallas to be the second fastest warming city in the nation. Texas Trees has developed mitigation solutions to combat the urban heat island effect in North Texas.
Environmental Impact (Nominee demonstrates a positive impact on the local environment via policy change, product offering, significant volunteer contribution or other achievement)
Knowing where to plant trees for the largest ROI is the genesis of the Texas Trees Foundation Urban Heat Island study and management strategies. We know the urban areas of Dallas are up to 15 degrees warmer and that trees and green infrastructure can mitigate this heat. We are working to plant trees in dense residential areas that measured the hottest (typically those with a low tree canopy cover of 7-15 percent). We work directly with city of Dallas to impact policy change (Article X) and local municipalities to green public rights-of-way and school yards. Local corporate groups help us to get the trees planted and maintained.
Community Impact (Nominee demonstrates commitment to DFW green community through involvement with causes, business ventures or organizations)
More than a tree planting organization, we use our research to focus our efforts in the geographies of our cities with the greatest environmental, economic and educational needs. Urban heat management strategies to reduce temperatures also improves the health of our citizens. We are working in the Southwest Medical District with the 3 anchor medical institutions located there to improve health and the urban streetscape of the district to attract and retain new medical staff. With nearly 10 percent (59,000) of Dallas' youth having childhood asthma the air quality filtering benefit of trees impacts the entire community.
