Resources
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The RVAgreen 2050 Climate Equity Index is an interactive tool developed by the Office of Sustainability to explore the climate impacts, demographics, built assets, and natural resources of your neighborhood.
Richmond Tree Inventory Dashboard
A tree inventory was conducted of all public right of way trees and is available for public informational purposes. This tree inventory was done by Davey Resource Group and was completed in three phases starting in 2013 and finishing in 2015.
The Tree Equity Score Analyzer (TESA) is a tool developed by American Forests to assess how well urban tree canopy benefits are distributed across different communities, with a specific focus on the needs of low-income areas, communities of color, and other vulnerable populations. It helps identify areas where tree planting is most needed to address inequities in access to the benefits that trees provide, such as reduced heat island effect and improved air quality.
"Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America" is a digital humanities project that provides interactive access to historic redlining maps and documents from the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) produced between 1935 and 1940. Users can visualize and analyze these maps alongside contemporary maps, revealing the lasting impact of redlining on urban development and community demographics.
PurpleAir Air Quality Index Map
The PurpleAir Air Quality Index (AQI) Map is a real-time, map-based tool that displays air quality data, primarily focusing on particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations, as measured by a network of community-owned sensors. It uses the US EPA's AQI scale to represent air quality conditions, making it easy to understand the health implications of the air around you.
This map shows public drinking water systems that have recently submitted test results for PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, to the Environmental Protection Agency.
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This toolkit is a collection of resources designed to support urban and community forestry initiatives, with a focus on promoting tree planting and green spaces in underserved communities. It includes communication tools, outreach strategies, and educational materials to help individuals and groups organize and advocate for increased tree canopy and green spaces.
RVA Rapid Transit’s report highlights the challenges that transit riders face due to extreme heat. It offers practical, community-driven solutions to create safer and more comfortable transit experiences for all.
The Richmond Cool Kit outlines twenty-five evidence-based cooling strategies that can reduce surface temperatures in urban and suburban communities across the City of Richmond.
The RVAgreen 2050 Sustainability Guide aims to guide Richmond residents, neighbors, businesses, and schools on a journey toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions, regardless of their current understanding of climate change or familiarity with the RVAgreen 2050 plan. The guide includes Federal, State, and Local resources and tools for Richmonders to take action for a more sustainable future.
Recycling guidelines can vary significantly from one city to another and even year to year. This guide provides the most current and accurate information for Richmond based on the expert guidelines set by the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority.
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Virginia Conservation Network Common Agenda
VCN’s 2025 Common Agenda is a comprehensive overview of Virginia’s environmental policy landscape written by, vetted through, and voted on by VCN’s 170+ Network Partners. It provides policy background and potential opportunities for clean water & flood resilience, land & wildlife conservation, land use & transportation, climate & energy, and good governance.
State Climate Policy Dashboard
The State Climate Policy Dashboard is a curated, interactive database with information on state-level climate policy progress in the U.S. Explore by state to learn about enacted policies and opportunities across all 50 states or by policy area for national landscape analyses and resources on 67 climate policies.
“RVAgreen 2050: Climate Equity Action Plan 2030” is an equity-centered, community-based, integrated climate action and climate resilience plan. It is a roadmap that outlines how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030, achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and help the community adapt to Richmond’s climate impacts, including extreme heat, precipitation, and flooding.
"Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth" is the city's comprehensive master plan, aiming to guide Richmond's development over the next 20 years, particularly as it approaches its 300th anniversary. It focuses on creating a more equitable, sustainable, and vibrant city.
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Brock Environmental Center Climate Lecture Series 2025
Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation as they bring together a diverse group of community members to share their expertise and insights on the critical issue of climate change and its impact on the Chesapeake Bay.
The Equity Equation: "The American Life Expectancy Crisis"
The Equity Equation webinar series examines health equity issues and highlights policy and systems-level solutions in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Southside ReLeaf’s co-founder, Amy Wentz, was a featured speaker.
“Urban Forestry and Heat Island Effect in Richmond”
Speakers from Groundwork RVA, Happily Natural Day, and Southside ReLeaf discuss their work to address the absence of greenspace and sparse tree canopy in Black, Brown, or low-income neighborhoods.
“Building Community Through Green Spaces”
Southside ReLeaf co-founder Sheri Shannon discusses the history of redlining and urban renewal in Richmond and how it has shaped the identity of its neighborhoods, focusing on extreme heat.
“Mitigating Urban Heat Threats through a Community-Driven Framework”
Speakers, including Southside ReLeaf co-founder Sheri Shannon, explore how an innovative, community-driven, and collaborative network of nonprofits and scientists is increasing tree canopy in neighborhoods that disproportionately experience the urban heat island effect.
“Extreme Heat, Climate Change, and Racial Equity”
The Richmond Racial Equity Essays and The ICA co-hosts a dynamic discussion with members of Richmond’s environmental community, including Southside ReLeaf co-founder Amy Wentz, about the urgency of local climate action and equitable approaches to realizing a sustainable Richmond.
“How Urban Trees Improve Community Health”
Host Peggy Singlemann talks to Amy Wentz and Sheri Shannon of Southside ReLeaf to learn how the grassroots organization brings volunteers together with other community groups to plant trees and combat the urban heat islands in Southside Richmond.
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TAP is a free volunteer training initiative by Southside ReLeaf designed to empower community members with the knowledge and skills to advocate for greener neighborhoods. As a Tree Ambassador, you'll learn how to plant and care for trees, recognize when a tree needs water or fresh mulch, and understand your role in promoting sustainable, climate-resilient practices in your community.
The Richmond Tree Stewards are trained volunteers dedicated to promoting and improving the health of city trees, ensuring our urban forest survives and thrives. Tree Stewards work closely with Urban Forestry and with other organizations interested in the health of our community forest. Each fall, the Tree Stewards offer a training course. Southside ReLeaf provides scholarships to Southside residents for training.
Mobility University, offered by RVA Rapid Transit, is a free, five-week course designed to educate and empower bus riders to advocate for better public transportation. Participants learn about Richmond's transit history, local transit governance, and how to effectively advocate for improvements. The program aims to equip riders with the knowledge and skills to shape policies and improvements that benefit the wider community.
Chesapeake Urban Stormwater Professionals
Chesapeake Urban Stormwater Professionals, or CUSP, is a free, online training program offered by the Chesapeake Stormwater Network. It focuses on providing practical knowledge and skills related to stormwater management and urban watershed restoration, particularly for students and young professionals.
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Richmond Ready Alerts are a critical messaging system designed to keep those who live, work, and visit in Richmond informed about hazards or threats that could impact their safety. Residents and businesses located within Richmond City are encouraged to sign up so they receive timely emergency notifications when alerts are issued.
Extreme Heat and Heat-Related Illness
The Virginia Department of Health’s landing page for extreme heat preparedness.
Heat-Related Illness Dashboard
The Heat-Related Illness (HRI) Dashboard is a tool developed by the Virginia Department of Health to monitor and track heat-related illness incidents, specifically emergency department and urgent care visits related to heat, across Virginia. It uses data collected from healthcare facilities to identify trends and potential public health concerns related to extreme heat.
The National Weather Service HeatRisk Forecast Tool is an experimental index that provides a forecast of the potential level of risk for heat-related impacts over a 24-hour period. It uses a five-level scale (from minimal to extreme) to represent the risk. The tool helps individuals and communities prepare for and respond to excessive heat events by identifying potential risks and vulnerable populations.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s guide to staying safe during floods.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s guide to staying safe during hurricanes.
This article from NPR outlines flood-risk related questions that homeowners should consider both before and after purchasing a home and where to find answers.
Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know
A primer from the Natural Resources Defense Council on what air pollution is, its causes and effects, and how to protect your health.
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The Urban Forestry Division (UFD) maintains approximately 120,200 city-owned trees and is responsible for planting approximately 2,000 new and replacement trees.
Call: (804) 646-6430
The Office of Sustainability works at a systems level to change the underlying policy and structural mechanisms within city government and the community in the areas of climate action, resilience, and equity.
Call: (804) 646-6957
Email: rvagreen@rva.gov
Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is home to more than 170 parks, open spaces, athletic fields, playgrounds, and tot lots.
Call: (804) 646-5733
The City of Richmond’s community garden program makes city-owned property available to residents for urban agriculture. The gardens under Richmond Grows Gardens host regular workdays, events, and may offer private or communal garden plots.
Email: Nathaniel.Martin@rva.gov
The City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) launched the RVAH2O campaign to educate the community about ways to keep its waterways pollution-free and to achieve “cleaner water faster.”
Call: (804) 646-4646
Designed to empower Richmond residents to get their non-emergency service needs met and help City government understand and respond to citizen needs effectively. You can submit a request by phone, website, or app, with 24/7 online submission. These submissions are captured and rerouted automatically to the appropriate City department.
Call center number:
When inside city limits, dial 311
When outside city limits, dial (804) 646-7000
Call center hours: Mon–Fri 8 am–7 pm, Sat 9 am–1 pm; closed Sundays and City holidays.