Equitable Access to Green Spaces for Children's Health and Wellbeing

In Los Angeles county, 20% of the city's total canopy is concentrated in five primarily white and affluent census blocks, while the rest of the city has less than 5% of tree canopy coverage.

More than 2.5 million students in California attend schools with less than 5% of tree canopy coverage, far below the recommended 30% to 50% recommended by urban forestry and climate experts.

The disparity in tree cover is a result of decades of environmental injustice, including racist policies in urban neighborhoods.

Groups like Amigos de los Rios are working to close this gap by creating green spaces in schools and communities that are often overlooked and underserved.

Amigos de los Rios has "greened" about 30 schools in the LA area, transforming landscapes and improving children's health and wellbeing.

Washington Elementary Stem magnet school in Pasadena, California, was transformed into an outdoor classroom with trees, rain gardens, and log stump seats.

Trees provide numerous benefits for children's health and wellbeing, including cooling cities, reducing pollution, and protecting kids from UV rays.

In Los Angeles, the urban tree canopy is concentrated in five affluent census blocks, leaving much of the city without adequate tree cover and serious health implications for children.

Groups like Amigos de los Rios and the Arbor Day Foundation are working to address urban tree equity and shade justice, creating a resilient future for children.

Efforts to create green spaces in underserved communities can be challenging, but groups like Amigos de los Rios are working to overcome these challenges and create equitable access to green spaces.