07/08/2026
Imagine walking through your neighborhood on a summer afternoon. Just a few blocks ago it felt like it was around 90° F, but as you approach the city, it now feels like it is pushing 100°F! For many Richmond locals, this is not hard to imagine because it is our reality.
Our Green Team youth have been learning about the Urban Heat Island effect, and how a lack of trees and green spaces, alongside nonpermeable surfaces, trap heat in certain areas. This phenomenon is particularly present in historically redlined areas and where many residences are people of color. Meaning Black and Brown people suffer more in these disproportionally hotter neighborhoods.
To help combat this, Green Team members have been using thermal imaging cameras to measure the change in temperature at Hotchkiss Park and Mayo Island, before, during, and after the planting of trees and installation of permeable surfaces. Our youth are actively collecting data on which spaces are the hottest, hypothesizing why, and brainstorming solutions to help their community stay cooler.
Take a look at these images of our Green Teamers in action, plus news clips from last summer! ☀️✨🌳
