Greening LA’s Hottest Streets
By 2060, LA will face 40 days a year at 95°F or hotter. Trees are a critical defense against heat, but canopy coverage is uneven. When the city set out to plant 90,000 trees under its Green New Deal, it needed help understanding where planting could have the most impact. At USC, we used university research to identify gaps in the urban tree canopy, built mapping tools to see where trees were needed, engaged the community around tree care, and monitored which tree species work hardest to clean our air.
ROLE
Communications director
RESPONSIBILITIES
I partnered with LA Public Works and local community organizations to shape communications that reflected neighborhood priorities and built public support for long-term stewardship.
Bringing more trees, shade, and fresh air to L.A. by identifying where, what kind, and how many trees to plant for the biggest impact.
Impact
More trees means cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighborhoods—but knowing where, what, and how to plant is key. We’ve spent the last five years analyzing community data and guiding investments to bring more street trees to East and South L.A., shading and cooling some of L.A.’s most vulnerable communities.
Street trees planted and maintained since 2020
1,000
Street design plans guide nonprofits like North East Trees and KYCC in planting new trees in the most strategic places.
