Greening Southside Richmond Through Community-Led Tree Equity
Melissa Spencer, volunteer, and co-founder Sheri Shannon planting a tree at Hickory Hill.
Funded through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund and secured by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the goal of the Greening Southside Richmond initiative was to address the lasting impacts of redlining and disinvestment that have left South Richmond neighborhoods with fewer trees, hotter temperatures, and increased flooding risk.
Southside ReLeaf partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Groundwork RVA, Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and community residents to expand tree canopy in neighborhoods with the greatest need while building long-term stewardship around urban forestry and environmental justice.
Between 2020 and 2022, Southside ReLeaf and its partners coordinated large-scale tree plantings, tree giveaways, and ongoing maintenance projects at community spaces, including Hickory Hill Community Center and Swansboro Playground. The initiative combined direct environmental improvements with education and engagement efforts to help residents understand the connection among tree equity, climate resilience, and neighborhood health. Volunteers, youth groups, churches, small businesses, and neighborhood partners all played a role in planting and caring for trees that will benefit Southside communities for decades to come.
Impact
Planted 175 trees at Hickory Hill Community Center and Swansboro Playground.
Distributed 400 free trees to South Richmond residents for planting on private property.
Prioritized neighborhoods identified through Richmond’s Climate Equity Index as having the greatest need for green space and cooling infrastructure.
Mobilized volunteers, youth groups, churches, and community organizations through planting and maintenance events.
Established ongoing tree maintenance and stewardship programs to support long-term canopy growth.
Expanded awareness of environmental justice and the connection between historic inequities and present-day climate impacts.
Strengthened partnerships and community networks that laid the foundation for future greening initiatives across South Richmond.