Metroplan Ozone Action Days - Ditch the Keys

08/20/2026

We have a big goal of planting 166,000 native tree over the next three years in Central Arkansas. But to do this, we need your help.

In partnership with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, we're giving away free trees in our six-county project area that includes Pulaski, Saline, Perry, Grant, Faulkner and Lonoke counties.

This project is funded by an EPA grant awarded to Metroplan and subawarded to UAEX. Click the link below to order trees.

https://uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/water/central-ar-tree-project/

10/18/2024

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY: CODE ORANGE FOR PARTICULATE MATTER

NORTH LITTLE ROCK— A Particulate Matter Action Advisory has been declared for October 18, 2024, for central Arkansas. The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recognizes that ambient air particulate matter concentrations in central Arkansas indicate outdoor activities may be unhealthy for active children and adults, and for individuals in sensitive groups. Health precautions include limiting prolonged outdoor exertion among active children and adults, and people with preexisting respiratory disease.

In cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), DEQ has issued a “Code Orange” Air Quality Advisory for Particulate Matter, because of monitored concentrations above the 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 35 micrograms per cubic meter of ambient air.

As the day progresses and warms, it is possible that the ground-level concentrations will decrease. Because particulate matter is visible and can be detected by the nose, sensitive individuals can assess their immediate environment.

To check the daily ozone forecasts for Arkansas, go to adeq.state.ar.us. To see daily U.S. ozone levels maps, go to airnow.gov.

09/24/2024

How can a Smooth Commute help reduce harmful ground level ozone? Watch us on the Vine and find out!

This campaign uses feedback from the community to shape future transportation planning efforts.

08/30/2024

Thanks to KATV ARC for having Metroplan Executive Director Casey Covington on to discuss Ozone Action Days yesterday!

https://katv.com/community/little-rock-arc/executive-director-of-metroplan-shares-insight-on-the-announced-ozone-action-advisory

08/27/2024

Thanks to our media friends and partners for helping us explain the science behind Ozone Action Days and reasons for yesterday's Orange Alert. Here's our own Casey Covington and Demetria Kimbrough on The Vine talking about causes and effects.

Casey Covington and Demetria Kimbrough share the importance of ozone action days and the factors that lead to higher concentrations of ground-level ozone.

08/27/2024

Some behind the scenes shots from our appearance on THV11's The Vine today. Stay tuned for a link to the show.

08/26/2024

An Ozone Action Advisory (Code Orange) has been declared for August 26, 2024, for central Arkansas.

The Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) forecasts ozone concentrations in Central Arkansas that indicate outdoor activities may be unhealthy for active children and adults, and for individuals in sensitive groups.
In cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality has issued a “Code Orange” Air Quality Advisory for Ozone, because of projected monitored concentrations above the 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 0.070 parts per million. On an Ozone Action Day public agencies, private business, and the general public should take voluntary actions to reduce ground-level ozone formation. Active children and adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions should take precautions to reduce health-risks associated with ozone exposure.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.
An Ozone Action Day is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher. On an Ozone Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.
To help reduce ozone emissions, please follow these recommendations:
• Refuel cars and lawnmowers after 7:00 pm, avoid fuel spills, and do not “top off” tanks
• Carpool or use mass transit
• Combine errands instead of separate vehicle trips
• Do not drive unnecessarily, especially during peak commuting hours or during the hottest part of the day
To check the daily ozone forecasts for Arkansas, go to adeq.state.ar.us. To see daily U.S. ozone levels maps, go to airnow.gov.

Ozone Action Days is a public awareness program of Metroplan, in partnership with the ADEQ. The program is designed to keep you informed about potentially harmful ground-level ozone and how to reduce it.

08/01/2024

Thanks to our friends at THV11 for having us on The Vine to talk about Metroplan's new grant and how it will help reduce future ozone alert days.

The Climate Pollution Reduction grant will be beneficial in helping reduce ozone action alert days.