SWU to host community day and free tree adoption
When: Saturday March 15, 2025 starting at 10am
Where: 1416 E Commerce
What: This month’s Community Day will be extra special because we are partnering with the Department of Urban Forestry to give away 175 fruit trees, to qualifying residents, in addition to our usual fresh produce bags. This event is free, open to the public, and everyone is able to get a free bag of fresh produce but only residents who qualify will be able to receive a tree.
To Qualify for a Tree:
You must be a Bexar county resident
You must live in an area with a Tree Equity Score of 70 or less. These areas are orange on the map below or you can check her address here.
You must attend our workshop on how to care and maintain your tree
There will be six (6) kinds of fruit trees available including: Pomegranate, Plum, Pecan, Peach, Nectarine, and Fig. Pecan and Fig trees will grow the biggest so, if you choose one of those, make sure you have enough space in your yard. The workshop will cover: how to plant, care for, and maintain your new tree as well as information on why trees are so important to combat urban heat islands. Each tree with also come with a card with more information on caring for your new tree to ensure it thrives and produces shade and fruit for many years to come.
Why neighborhoods with Tree Equity Scores of 70 or less?
As temperatures continue to climb year after year due to climate change, San Antonians are grappling with the harsh reality of living in "urban heat islands", neighborhoods where the abundance of concrete and asphalt, coupled with a lack of green spaces and trees, drives temperatures even higher. This issue has become even more urgent as 2024 now holds the record for San Antonio’s third-hottest August and fifth-hottest summer on record. These extreme temperatures hit hardest in areas often home to low-income families of color, seniors on fixed incomes, and others who face the added challenge of affording air conditioning during sweltering summers.
The Tree Equity Score is calculated using U.S. Census data and rates areas on a scale of 1 to 100, with lower scores indicating fewer trees and less shade. By targeting areas with scores of 70 or below, SWU aims to bring much-needed greenery to the communities that need it most.
If you have any questions, call us at 210-701-2212 or send us an email at Info@SWUnion.org
