Cool Green Trees

Cool Green Trees (CGT) is a program dedicated to addressing climate change and promoting environmental equity by targeting Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) in Jefferson County. UHIs are areas within cities that experience significantly higher temperatures due to a lack of green space and an abundance of heat-retaining surfaces like concrete and asphalt. These conditions contribute to health disparities and environmental challenges, especially in underserved communities. To combat this, CGT provides trees to cool and shade these neighborhoods, while also building strong relationships with residents to support long-term sustainability and resilience.

CGT is a program of the Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development Council, a nonprofit organization that connects Central Alabama communities to resources and partnerships that support economic and environmental development. In collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), CGT developed a StoryMap tool to identify UHIs in Birmingham and surrounding areas. This data-driven approach helps prioritize the areas most in need of tree cover and relief from the heat.

Planting trees offers multiple benefits beyond cooling. Trees help reduce flooding by improving stormwater management and enhance air quality by filtering pollutants and producing oxygen. These outcomes are essential for creating healthier, more livable communities. CGT partners with local neighborhoods, city governments, the Jefferson County Health Department, the Jefferson County Greenways Commission, corporations, and civic organizations to carry out its mission. The program’s success is rooted in collaboration, and CGT is grateful for the continued support of its many partners—it simply wouldn’t be possible without them.