Mesa's Climate Action Plan and Urban Forestry program target tree canopy growth in older, lower-canopy neighborhoods to address heat exposure inequities. Programs include free shade trees and partnerships with neighborhood associations.
Mesa's tree canopy is uneven — newer master-planned communities and golf course neighborhoods have substantially more shade than older central and west Mesa blocks built before tree code standards. The Climate Action Plan and Urban Forestry program prioritize canopy expansion in low-canopy ZIP codes through free or low-cost tree giveaways, parkway planting partnerships, and SRP shade tree programs. Plantings emphasize drought-tolerant native and adapted species under Tree Code Title 24 to balance canopy with water conservation.
This is a programmatic goal not a regulatory mandate; failure to participate is not a violation, though private removal of newly planted street trees may violate Title 24.
See how Mesa's urban forest equity rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.