Northside Green Share event to offer free shade trees

REDLANDS, Calif. – Community groups are coming together to host the first Northside Green Share, a morning of free shade trees, hands-on workshops, plant exchanges, and family activities at Gonzales Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave., on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The event location, originally planned for Martinez Park, was moved indoors due to heavy rain expected over the weekend.

The event aims to make North Redlands greener, cooler, and more connected, offering residents practical ways to participate in sustainability and neighborhood improvement. Attendees can explore educational booths, join interactive demonstrations, participate in seed and coat swaps hosted by Redlands Swap & Meet, and take home a tree to plant in their own yard.

“Our goal is to increase tree canopy cover and promote long-term environmental and public health benefits for communities most affected by heat and air pollution,” said Kayla Hettinger, Environmental Education Coordinator with UC Cooperative Extension in San Bernardino County and one of the event organizers. “By planting heat- and drought-tolerant trees and offering education on tree care, we’re helping neighborhoods adapt to a changing climate.”

The disparity in the number of trees in North and South Redlands has been a point of concern for residents in recent years, according to Linda Hamilton of Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action.

“The need for trees on the Northside was identified by residents through surveys and focus groups focused on their concerns regarding climate impacts,” Hamilton said. “Rising heat was their number one concern.”

Community Forward first explored Redlands’ uneven tree canopy in 2022’s The Shade Divide, which examined how North Redlands faces higher surface temperatures due to limited shade.

The Northside Green Share is a collaboration among local organizations including TreePeople, the University of Redlands, SURF, California Climate Action Corps, University of Redlands Tree Stock, the Northside Alliance, ANCA, the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, the City of Redlands, Trees for Tomorrow Start Today, and the UC Master Gardeners.

North Redlands residents are encouraged to register in advance to reserve a free tree at https://bit.ly/FreeTreesNorthRedlands.

Walk-up registration will open at 11:30 a.m., while supplies last.