In the News
Growing a Healthier Future in Richmond’s Southside
The Phil
“The work that we do is all about making Southside Richmond greener, healthier and more connected,” said Sarah Wilkinson, communications manager for Southside ReLeaf.
City planners want more feedback on rezoning maps from Southside residents
The Richmonder
Asked about the city’s approach, Hinkle said the Planning Department has used community ambassadors and worked with Southside City Council members and community organizations like Virginia Community Voice and Southside Releaf to hold feedback sessions “in an effort to meet these communities where they are.”
‘Invaluable service’: the role of community science in the Chesapeake Bay region
Bay Journal
“It’s not a coincidence that the neighborhoods that have more impervious surfaces and less canopy cover and green spaces are also the ones where we’re seeing hotter temperatures, and also that flooding,” Shannon said.
Where the Water Goes
Richmond Magazine
“Our systems just weren’t built for what we’re seeing right now,” says Sheri Shannon, co-founder and director of programs at Southside ReLeaf. “So, we’re hoping that this data will help city leaders ... really make the case for why we need to prioritize flood mitigation in the city, especially in areas like South Side, [which is] already dealing with extreme heat and other social inequities because of how the neighborhoods are designed.”
Working to fix problem flooding in Richmond
WWBT
Summer’s heat means summer thunderstorms, which often bring flooding. It often happens in the same areas over and over. “It’s really a soggy experience for folks, whether you’re, like, trying to get to work or driving, you’re walking. If you’re waiting for the bus, is this really, really bad,” Sheri Shannon with Southside ReLeaf said of living in an area that holds water after storms.
How you can help a Richmond nonprofit document flooding during storms
WTVR
As Central Virginia continues to see rain in the forecast, a nonprofit in the city is asking residents to document where they may see standing water or flooding from stormwater. In March, Southside ReLeaf and the University of Richmond launched a campaign called "Go with the Flow," an online flood mapping program that tracks the city's most flood-prone areas and creates a computer model of flooding in the city. Data is collected through an online survey that documents the flooding location and whether there is any standing water during and after rainfall.
What are heat islands?
Southern Environmental Law Center
Across the South, we see communities suffering from dangerously hot summer days. This is the combined result of extreme heat worsened by climate change and the urban heat island effect, where the materials like concrete and asphalt used in parking lots, buildings, and roads hold and give off heat more than natural ground cover like bodies of water, trees, and other plants. This means, on the same day, a city center will often be notably warmer than nearby suburban or rural areas. One place this is playing out is the Southside of Richmond, a historically Black area named for its place relative to the James River.
‘A cooler, greener and more resilient Richmond’: City launches project to combat heat, expand green spaces
WRIC
Earth Day was celebrated around the world on Monday, and Richmond marked the occasion with the launch of a 5-year environmental initiative aimed at cooling down some of its hottest neighborhoods. It’s called “Cool the City” and it is a 5-year plan to plant over a thousand trees across Richmond and invest in environmental workforce development.
How the 'Cool the City' campaign hopes to bring environmental equity to Richmond
WTVR
Richmond kicked off its "Cool The City" campaign on Earth Day, launching a five-year initiative to increase green spaces across the city, particularly in areas prone to higher temperatures.
Richmond kicks off Cool the City campaign
VPM
Cool the City is a five-year greening and capacity building project, funded by a $6 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. It’s based on years of planning, outreach and research on the part of the city and partner organizations. You can plant a lot of trees with millions of dollars — and that’s part of the plan. But there’s more to it.
City of Richmond launches ‘Cool the City’ initiative to boost urban tree canopy
WRIC
The City of Richmond and several local community organizations have collaborated to launch the “Cool the City” initiative for Earth Day. The “Cool the City” initiative will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at the Broad Rock Sports Complex.
Environmental organization partners with University of Richmond to create map of city’s flood-prone areas
WWBT
Richmond is no stranger to flooding. That’s why Southside ReLeaf is launching the “Go with the Flow” mapping project. Between March 20 and Labor Day, they’re collecting photos from the community to learn which areas of the city flood the most. “There are certain parts of the city that are more prone to flooding. And that could be because of outdated stormwater infrastructure, it could be that even the stormwater drains could be clogged up,” said Sheri Shannon.
“Go with the Flow”: New flooding project headed to Richmond
WRIC
Southside ReLeaf and the University of Richmond (U of R) partner up for the “Go with the Flow” mapping project which will run from March 20. to Sept. 1. The project started due to Richmond’s history with flooding and, according to the website, very little data exists on exactly how much it floods in the River City.
‘Go with the Flow’ project aims to map flooding patterns across Richmond
Richmond Free Press
Southside ReLeaf and the University of Richmond have launched the “Go with the Flow” community science project to collect data on flooding patterns across the city. The project, which runs from March 20 to Sept. 1, encourages Richmond residents to participate in a flood survey each time it rains. The project is working to gather data that will help build a comprehensive flood map of Richmond, identifying areas that flood and areas where infrastructure failures may be contributing to the problem. The data collected also will support advocacy efforts for green infrastructure improvements in alignment with the city’s RVAgreen 2050 and RVAH2O initiatives.
Go with the Flow project collecting data to help Richmond flood planning
VPM
Central Virginia marked the first day of spring with a downpour — and the start of a citizen science project to find what parts of Richmond flood most often. Sheri Shannon — co-founder of urban greening nonprofit Southside ReLeaf, which is running the Go with the Flow project — said city residents can and do report flooding problems with the city’s 311 service. “The reality is not everyone's going to utilize 311,” Shannon said. “So, to simplify that process, we're like, let's utilize the power of our neighbors.”
New RVA flood project needs your help
Sean Sublette, Substack
A new community science project is starting in Richmond today (March 20), and you can help with their data. The project is a coordinated effort between Southside ReLeaf and the University of Richmond — to better understand flooding in South Richmond. Called Go With The Flow, the data collected will help build a more detailed map of flood risk in South Richmond. More data is always helpful, and this is a real-world science project for curious minds of all ages interested in understanding their environment.
Take a quick survey every time it rains and help address flooding in your community!
South Richmond News
Southside ReLeaf and the University of Richmond need your help to map flooding. The project will run from March 20, 2025 (the first day of spring) through September 1, 2025 (Labor Day).
Nonprofit Spotlight: Southside ReLeaf
Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
In Richmond’s Southside, neighborhoods with the least tree canopy face a stark reality—a life expectancy up to 20 years shorter than other parts of the city. By empowering residents and restoring tree coverage, Southside ReLeaf is working to create a healthier, more equitable future — one green space at a time.
Lisa Aikins-Afful has been the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator of Southside ReLeaf since 2023, and is responsible for working with volunteers, partner organizations, private industry and government officials to promote and coordinate greening efforts and climate education. Our team had an opportunity to speak with Lisa to learn more about how volunteers drive Southside ReLeaf’s mission forward.
Trial by water: Avula spends first days in office tackling outage, community fills gaps
The Commonwealth Times
[Southside] ReLeaf collaborated with numerous nonprofit organizations to distribute over 100,000 bottles of water — primarily to childcare centers, senior homes and other people who could not get to distribution sites. They also created a resource map, pointing people in the direction of free showers and meal sites.
Swansboro West Civic Association awarded grant to help design community park
South Richmond News
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has awarded Swansboro West Civic Association a $20,000 Community Green Access (CGA) mini-grant to conduct a visioning process to transform the area behind Swansboro Elementary School into a community park. Southside ReLeaf is serving as the Association’s fiscal agent.