Las Vegas City Council Unanimously Endorses Urban Forestry Plan to Plant 60,000 Shade Trees

LAS VEGAS, NV — In a significant move focused on environmental infrastructure, the Las Vegas City Council has approved an updated urban forestry master plan. This initiative proposes the planting of 60,000 desert-adapted shade trees throughout the city in response to record-breaking summer temperatures. The council’s decision aligns with the municipality’s long-term vision as outlined in its Urban Forestry Management Plan and the 2050 Master Plan.

The objective is to nearly double the urban tree canopy from about 9% to approximately 20% in the coming decades, especially in neighborhoods severely affected by urban heat islands (UHI). The expanded plan includes prioritized funding for planting trees in residential front yards and public spaces at no cost to homeowners, highlighting its importance for public health and climate adaptation.