Blog
Heat-Risk Management: Cooling Strategies for Community Health
Syd Collier, Southside ReLeaf’s Greening Coordinator and a recent Master of Public Health graduate, breaks down what extreme heat means for Richmond — and why it’s not experienced equally across our communities. From recognizing the signs of heat-related illness to understanding how tree canopies, shade, and green infrastructure can save lives, this blog connects personal preparedness with the need for broader community-level action to address extreme heat.
Growing Richmond’s Future: Inside the Richmond Tree Plan
Richmond is developing its first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan — a long-term strategy to grow, care for, and protect the city’s trees. In this guest blog, Elena Zweerink (Department of Public Works – Urban Forestry Division, Richmond Tree Plan Team) shares how the plan is taking shape, why expanding tree canopy matters for climate resilience and public health, and how Richmond residents can help guide the future of our urban forest.
Cooling Richmond Together: A Guide to Cooler Neighborhoods
In our latest blog, Daniel Klein, guest blogger and Sustainability Coordinator at Richmond's Office of Sustainability, highlights solutions from the new Richmond Cool Kit. The kit explores 25 evidence-based cooling strategies that can reduce surface temperatures in urban and suburban communities across the region.
Why We Need to Cool the City: Thermal Images of South Richmond
Our intern, Maya Basnyat, took pictures around South Richmond with a thermal imaging camera in July. The results are a stark representation of how the urban heat island effect is impacting residents living in Southside and show why we need to cool the city.