The Orange County Sustainability Team is proud to announce its receipt of a $25,000 grant from Duke Energy to support a groundbreaking heat mapping analysis and tree planting initiative. This project aims to identify and address heat islands across Orange County by partnering with families in heat-stressed and historically under-recognized communities to plant trees.
This initiative represents a significant step toward achieving the county’s ambitious Climate Action Plan goal of planting 10,000 trees in 10 years. The project will foster community relationships, educate residents about the critical role trees play in climate change mitigation, and directly demonstrate the benefits of increased tree cover in combating rising temperatures.
“Our community faces growing challenges from climate change, and projects like this are essential for building resilience,” said Amy Eckberg, Orange County Sustainability Program Manager. “We are grateful to Duke Energy for their support, which allows us to make meaningful progress in reducing heat impacts and enhancing the quality of life for our residents.”
Building a Greener, More Resilient Future
The Sustainability Team’s heat mapping and tree planting project underscores Orange County’s commitment to addressing climate challenges through innovative, community-driven solutions. By targeting areas most impacted by extreme heat, the initiative will bring tangible benefits to vulnerable populations and advance broader goals of equity and environmental sustainability.
For more information about Orange County’s Climate Action Plan and ways to get involved, please visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/3096/Climate-Action-Plan or contact Mel Gilles at mgilles@orangecountync.gov.
Photo caption: (Left to right) Orange County Sustainability Program Manager Amy Eckberg, Duke Energy’s District Manager for Government & Community Relations Ray Trapp, Sustainability Specialist Karina Nabors, and Sustainability Projects Analyst Mel Gilles.