In August 2026, Groundwork RVA graduated its first cohort of Green Apprentices from its Green Infrastructure & Arbor Care Apprenticeship program.

In late May 2026, 77 ninth-grade students from St. Catherine’s School joined Southside ReLeaf and Cool the City for a day of hands-on environmental action in South Richmond.

Virginia Interfaith Power & Light (VAIPL) wrapped up the final tree knowledge workshop with another incredible faith partner, Second Baptist Church West End, as part of our mission to Cool the City.

Educational campaign ads for Cool the City were installed at five bus stop shelters across Richmond during Earth Month, each one sharing a different message about how we can work together to create a cooler, healthier city.

Southside ReLeaf gave away over 250 trees at the Cool the City Free Tree Giveaway on April 25, 2026. By planting trees at home, residents help “cool the city.”

Amy Wentz talked with Brendan King from CBS 6 about the Cool the City Free Tree Giveaway and why the Cool the City coalition is working to plant more trees in Richmond’s hottest neighborhoods.

Amy Wentz of Southside ReLeaf joined Amy Lacey on Virginia This Morning to discuss the Cool the City campaign and why planting more trees is critical for combatting extreme heat in Richmond.

8News got a visit from a special guest with Southside ReLeaf on Monday to talk about their Cool the City campaign. 8News anchors Autumn Childress and Madison Moore were joined by Amy Wentz to talk about its mission.

Shannon Heckt of the Virginia Mercury highlights how Cool the City’s efforts and new proposed canopy requirements are addressing extreme heat in underserved neighborhoods.

Richmond is developing its first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan— a long-term strategy to grow, care for, and protect the city’s trees. In this blog for Southside ReLeaf, Elena Zweerink (Department of Public Works – Urban Forestry Division, Richmond Tree Plan Team) shares how the plan is taking shape, why expanding tree canopy matters for climate resilience and public health, and how Richmond residents can help guide the future of our urban forest.

With the help of dedicated volunteers, we planted 34 trees at Boushall Middle School to bring more shade and stormwater drainage to the school grounds.

As part of the effort to “shade the stop,” the Greening Bus Stop Alliance hosted a tree planting demo at bus stop #3667 during Richmond Tree Week

Local Richmond artist Paris Allen completed a huge, powerful mural at 411 N 1st Street, capturing the essence of the Cool the City campaign’s efforts to combat extreme heat and reforest Richmond’s hottest neighborhoods.

We hosted our first Cool the City Climate Connector workshop, bringing together Richmonders from various faith communities to discuss the impacts of urban heat, extreme weather, and flooding.

Interns in the Mayor’s Fellow Program joined us for a day of volunteer service at the Hillside Court Mini-Farm.

We hosted our first two Cool the City Community Forums, gathering with community members at Studio Two Three to explore green solutions and learn how localities make decisions about which projects to fund.

We depaved asphalt on the 22nd Street Parking Lot and replaced it with 151 native trees in a tiny forest known as a Miyawaki forest.

WTVR highlights the kick-off of the Cool the City campaign and emphasizes the importance of addressing extreme heat in Richmond’s hottest neighborhoods.

Sara Molina of WRIC highlights the Cool the City campaign’s official launch on Earth Day and explains why addressing extreme heat matters.

The Cool the City coalition launched our campaign to address extreme heat in Richmond’s hottest neighborhoods with a block party and honorary tree planting on Earth Day at Broad Rock Sports Complex.