In the News
Environmentalists call for more green infrastructure ahead of Hurricane Ian
VPM
While rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian could mean flooded streets in South Richmond, environmental groups say that green infrastructure might help mitigate future flooding.
September 30, 2022, VPM
While rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian could mean flooded streets in South Richmond, environmental groups say that green infrastructure might help mitigate future flooding.
This is why certain parts of Richmond are hotter than others
CBS 6
As a heat wave smothers Richmond, some parts of the city are feeling the impacts of it more than others.
July 22, 2022, CBS 6
As a heat wave smothers Richmond, some parts of the city are feeling the impacts of it more than others.
Richmond's urban heat islands -- Scott's Addition, Jackson Ward, Manchester -- put communities in danger
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Manchester is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city of Richmond — along with Scott’s Addition, Jackson Ward, Monroe Ward, the Diamond District and part of Virginia Commonwealth University.
July 4, 2022, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Manchester is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city of Richmond — along with Scott’s Addition, Jackson Ward, Monroe Ward, the Diamond District and part of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Stoney introduces draft 'Climate Equity' plan for Richmond following public criticism of spending plan
Richmond Times-Dispatch
With the goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 — and eliminating it completely by 2050 — the city of Richmond is seeking public input on its plans to hit those targets.
April 19, 2022, Richmond Times-Dispatch
With the goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 — and eliminating it completely by 2050 — the city of Richmond is seeking public input on its plans to hit those targets.
Intern Hallie Tucker’s Interview with Sheri Shannon of Southside ReLeaf
Virginia Water Resources Research Center
As an intern for the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, I am conducting interviews and creating art about environmental justice leaders, water rights advocates, and scientists, from around the country, to discuss their roles in the fight for environmental justice.
April 13, 2022, Virginia Water Resources Research Center
As an intern for the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, I am conducting interviews and creating art about environmental justice leaders, water rights advocates, and scientists, from around the country, to discuss their roles in the fight for environmental justice.
Lawmakers prune equity initiatives from tree canopy bill
VPM
Legislation aimed at increasing tree canopies across Virginia passed both chambers of the General Assembly after legislators compromised on removing language around equity.
March 28, 2022, VPM
Legislation aimed at increasing tree canopies across Virginia passed both chambers of the General Assembly after legislators compromised on removing language around equity.
Taking Root
Richmond Magazine
In the city of Richmond, there are an estimated 120,000 trees on public land. Numerous nonprofits and volunteer groups are working to increase that number, as trees provide many benefits, from filtering pollution and preventing erosion to lowering temperatures. In some areas, planting trees has become a form of climate — and community — activism.
February 28, 2022, Richmond Magazine
In the city of Richmond, there are an estimated 120,000 trees on public land. Numerous nonprofits and volunteer groups are working to increase that number, as trees provide many benefits, from filtering pollution and preventing erosion to lowering temperatures. In some areas, planting trees has become a form of climate — and community — activism.
Virginia Home Grown: Southside ReLeaf
VPM
Host Peggy Singlemann talks to Amy Wentz and Sheri Shannon of Southside ReLeaf to learn how the grassroots organization brings volunteers together with other community groups to plant trees and combat the urban heat islands in Southside Richmond.
October 26, 2021, VPM
Host Peggy Singlemann talks to Amy Wentz and Sheri Shannon of Southside ReLeaf to learn how the grassroots organization brings volunteers together with other community groups to plant trees and combat the urban heat islands in Southside Richmond.
Free trees are available to Southside Richmond residents. Here is how to get some for your home
NBC 12
As part of an effort to increase tree cover, Southside ReLeaf and Chesapeake Bay Foundation are offering free trees to Southside Richmond residents.
October 21, 2021, NBC 12
As part of an effort to increase tree cover, Southside ReLeaf and Chesapeake Bay Foundation are offering free trees to Southside Richmond residents.
City Council declares City of Richmond to be in a state of climate emergency
The Commonwealth Times
Richmond has become one of the 2,006 local governments across the world to declare to be in a state of climate emergency, according to the Climate Emergency Declaration and Mobilisation website.
September 29, 2021, The Commonwealth Times
Richmond has become one of the 2,006 local governments across the world to declare to be in a state of climate emergency, according to the Climate Emergency Declaration and Mobilisation website.
Williams: Climate change is compounding social injustice. It must be addressed.
Richmond Times-Dispatch
History — as much as rising sea levels, soaring temperatures and fossil fuels warming the planet — has left impoverished Black residents of Hampton Roads vulnerable to environmental onslaught.
August 31, 2021, Richmond Times-Dispatch
History — as much as rising sea levels, soaring temperatures and fossil fuels warming the planet — has left impoverished Black residents of Hampton Roads vulnerable to environmental onslaught.
Yes, Virginia, we are seeing more — and more intense — rainfall
Virginia Mercury
Record-setting rainfall in 2018. A month’s worth of water that drenched Northern Virginia in an hour in July 2019. Neighborhoods that flood repeatedly in Richmond’s Southside and Petersburg.
August 20, 2021, Virginia Mercury
Record-setting rainfall in 2018. A month’s worth of water that drenched Northern Virginia in an hour in July 2019. Neighborhoods that flood repeatedly in Richmond’s Southside and Petersburg.
Richmond on Fire
Chesapeake Unchartered
Climate change is making it hotter. But communities of color are likely to feel the heat more. In Richmond, VA, solutions are being tested that could point the way for other American cities.
August 13, 2021, Chesapeake Unchartered
Climate change is making it hotter. But communities of color are likely to feel the heat more. In Richmond, VA, solutions are being tested that could point the way for other American cities.
Environmental inequalities: American cities are taking matters into their own hands
Radio Canada
Alors que le président Biden promet de se battre pour la justice environnementale, des municipalités tentent de renverser des tendances historiques. (French)
As President Biden vows to fight for environmental justice, municipalities are trying to reverse historic trends.
July 21, 2021, Radio Canada
Alors que le président Biden promet de se battre pour la justice environnementale, des municipalités tentent de renverser des tendances historiques. (French)
As President Biden vows to fight for environmental justice, municipalities are trying to reverse historic trends.
Greening Southside Richmond
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
In formerly redlined neighborhoods, how can trees bring peace, provide health benefits, and reduce pollution?
April 9, 2021, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
In formerly redlined neighborhoods, how can trees bring peace, provide health benefits, and reduce pollution?
Community, Volunteers Kick Off Southside Greening Effort
VPM
Volunteers and community members planted 50 trees at Swansboro Park on Saturday. They dug holes, spread mulch and watered the new additions around the mostly empty field.
March 14, 2021, VPM
Volunteers and community members planted 50 trees at Swansboro Park on Saturday. They dug holes, spread mulch and watered the new additions around the mostly empty field.
A Tree Grows in Richmond: Southside Moves from Redlining to Greening
The Progressive Magazine
A nonprofit-led project seeks to address environmental injustices and improve water quality with targeted tree planting.
March 11, 2021, The Progressive Magazine
A nonprofit-led project seeks to address environmental injustices and improve water quality with targeted tree planting.
‘Reforest Richmond’ Aims To Rebuild Urban Tree Canopy
VPM
Over the last month, Reforest Richmond has distributed more than 8,000 Eastern Redbud tree saplings.
December 28, 2020, VPM
Over the last month, Reforest Richmond has distributed more than 8,000 Eastern Redbud tree saplings.
Williams: Climate equity is a social justice issue. Four Richmond nonprofits with a federal grant are building resiliency
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Black lives matter to the extent that green life flourishes around us. But Richmond and other cities, by design, planted people of color in less verdant neighborhoods.
October 9, 2020, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Black lives matter to the extent that green life flourishes around us. But Richmond and other cities, by design, planted people of color in less verdant neighborhoods.
Bringing Greenery to Richmond’s Hottest Neighborhoods
RVA Magazine
The Greening Southside Richmond Project is looking to tackle the issues of extreme heat and socioeconomic disparities caused by racist, discriminatory housing practices in Richmond’s vulnerable neighborhoods — one tree at a time.
October 7, 2020, RVA Magazine
The Greening Southside Richmond Project is looking to tackle the issues of extreme heat and socioeconomic disparities caused by racist, discriminatory housing practices in Richmond’s vulnerable neighborhoods — one tree at a time.