El Paso's Municipal Adopt-A-Tree Program

BRING SHADE TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, ADOPT A TREE!

Trees positively contribute to the aesthetics of city landscapes, however in many municipalities, critical infrastructure such as buildings, roads, and highways make up the vast majority of the urban scene. Additionally, studies have shown that tree coverage is often inequitably distributed amongst higher income populations.

Trees play a critical role in city landscape and in population health

The goal and vision of 915 TREEKEEPERS, El Paso's Adopt-a-Tree program, is to bring awareness to the importance of tree shade equity in urban cities and underserved populations. Globally, trees contribute to mitigating climate change, decreasing the urban heat effect in densely populated areas, and supplying us with life sustaining oxygen. The city and communities of El Paso, Texas are in need of an Adopt-a-Tree Program to help restore tree cover, especially in the underserved areas of the city. A recent journal article states environmental health scientists have found epidemiological evidence of a link between trees and human health. Research conducted has shown that cities with higher percentages of tree canopy cover are healthier and have more active community members. The presence of trees in urban areas helps reduce harms such as, ultraviolet rays, air-pollution related respiratory conditions, and heat-stress related incidents. Vegetation provides positive benefits for any location, but El Paso in particular would see a dramatic impact with the implementation of a tree planting program due to the dry and hot climate of the Chihuahuan desert and southwest region. This project aims to establish and maintain maximum tree coverage in El Paso, Texas, a densely populated city (one of ten large scale cities) with a population exceeding 500,000. Through partnerships and volunteers, we will plant purchased trees throughout the city to create tree canopies along our streets. The 915 Treekepers Adopt-a-Tree program could have a tremendous multi-generational impact on our citizens quality of life and on the vast environmental ecosystems that coexist in our great city.

How Does a Resident Adopt a Tree?

We are seeking interest from residents who are interested in Adopting a Tree to help cool our city and increase our TREE EQUITY scorecard. To be eligible, residents must sign up and agree to the requirements listed below as you accept a tree. This program is made possible by the office of City Representative Cassandra Hernandez and through generous donations from City Representative Isabel Salcido, Marathon Petroleum and El Paso Electric. Once an interest form is completed, the office of Representative Cassandra Hernandez, District 3 will contact you to coordinate tree planting during an appropriate season. Through the support of volunteers, this program will plant the tree(s) for the resident, or assist a household to plant as a family event.

Requirements for becoming a 915 TreeKeeper

To be eligible, you must live in a single family residency and not be a commercial establishment.
Each Individual is eligible to plant (2) tree's in the City's ROW (Right of Way, the area between your sidewalk and street.) Tree's are not allowed to be planted on private property outside of the City's ROW.
If you are a renter, you are required to seek permission from the property owner.
Proposed property must be in an area below 65% on the TREE EQUITY scorecard.
Each household, with the help of volunteers, will spend up to two hours planting your adopted trees!
A staff member or volunteers will be there to supervise planting and to offer help if needed.
Each family or individual group will be required to sign an Adopt-a-Tree agreement committing to maintaining and watering your trees.

A Tree Equity Score is calculated based on how much tree canopy and surface temperature align with income, employment, race, age and health factors.

Find your neighborhood's Tree Equity Score at:

TreeEquityScore.org

Click the image below to see where you're able to plant trees

Public Right-of-Way Tree Planting Diagram

915 TreeKeepers Sign Up Form

The Municipal Adopt-a-Tree Program with be a collaborative effort between city officials, local nurseries, and residents. In executing the program, we will have a tree planted in the City’s public right of way (ROW) but maintained and cared for by the resident. We will give residents the capacity to to help enhance the urban tree canopy and tree inequity in El Paso. With varying partners, benefits are tri-fold to residents, the environment, and our local economy.

Choose from any of the drought tolerant trees listed below:

Chinese

Pistache

Tree

Texas

Mesquite

Tree

Texas

Elm

Tree

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

― Chinese Proverb

Partners, Sponsors and Volunteers

This program was spearheaded by the office of City Representative Cassandra Hernandez and made possible by generous donations from our partner/sponsors:

Those also wanting to support 915 TreeKeepers may do so through monetary donations or by volunteering your time/service. Complete and submit our Volunteer/Donation Form to notify the office of Representative Cassandra Hernandez, District 3 of your desire to assist 915 TreeKeepers in making El Paso a Greener place to live.

Volunteer Incentive

As an incentive, City Representative Isabel Salcido, District 5 will donate a monetary award to three (3) volunteer groups who plant the most trees through random selection.

Additional Environmental Resources

915 TreeKeepers wants to encourage activism in environmental efforts citywide. Here are some other existing programs that can help you become an environmental ambassador for the city of El Paso, your community, and planet earth.