The city of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has hired an urban forestry program manager to lead the initiative that will plant a million trees throughout the city over the next decade.
Nicole Gillett, who most recently served as a conservation advocate for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Audubon Society, will support the implementation of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Million Trees initiative and work to revamp policies and programs relating to the growth, care and maintenance of the city’s urban forest.
Gillett will begin her role in the City Manager’s Office on Nov. 4 and will be making $64,480 a year. The city implemented a hiring freeze for general positions at the start of the pandemic but continues to fill essential positions that have been designated by the mayor and council.
“In her role, Nicole will play a crucial part in executing the massive tree planting, green infrastructure and restorative ecology goals set by the recently passed Emergency Climate Declaration,†said Mayor Regina Romero. “I am looking forward to working with Nicole on the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Million Trees initiative and ensuring heat-vulnerable communities and low-tree canopy neighborhoods are served through strong interdepartmental and community alliances.â€
People are also reading…
Last month, the city council declared a climate emergency and passed a resolution to develop a 10-year Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. As the third-fastest-warming city in the United States, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is now one of more than 1,700 cities and jurisdictions to declare a climate emergency worldwide.
The initiative to plant a million trees will be a big part of the city’s climate action plan. Local environmental experts say ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s low tree canopy, or percentage of the city that is covered by trees, has contributed to increasing temperatures in the metropolitan area.
In particular, the tree initiative will focus on planting native and drought-resilient trees and will prioritize neighborhoods that are most vulnerable to extreme heat, which are often low-tree canopy and low-income communities of color. In partnership with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Water, the program will also develop stormwater harvesting infrastructure to capture, retain and filter stormwater.
“I am beyond excited to be joining the city of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on such a critical program,†said Gillett. “Mayor Romero’s Million Trees Initiative is an innovative effort to help cool our rapidly warming city, build a more equitable future and grow a more ecologically diverse ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Our efforts today will help ensure that ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans can thrive under a shade tree well into our future.â€
The mayor and Council Member Richard Fimbres kicked off tree planting season last month by planting 25 trees outside the Thomas O. Price Service Center in Ward 5, where tree canopy is particularly low. With Gillett joining the team, officials said they are planning to have more planting events in other areas throughout the city.
Video: Today in history: Oct. 19
The stock market crashed as the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 508 points, in what came to be known as "Black Monday," and more events that happened on this day in history.
Gallery: Photos of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirkiest saguaros
26 photos of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirkiest saguaros
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

You can find this crested saguaro near the entrance to the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-Sonora Desert Museum.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A rare crested saguaro stands on a slope above the Pima Canyon Trail.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

This crested saguaro beside Old Main on the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ campus appears to be signaling a touchdown.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

This photo was taken in Ironwood Forest National Monument, west of Marana.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A Gila woodpecker prepares to pop into its nest on a crested saguaro at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Botanical Gardens, Tuesday, June 1, 2004.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

This cactus was spotted west of Green Valley.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A little saguaro has found its niche between a rock and a hard place along the Esperero Trail in Sabino Canyon.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

Many saguaros make a big thing of symmetry and perfect form. And then there's this one.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

Distant finger rock is framed by the almost circular strands of a dead saguaro.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A Saguaro the looks like a dinosaur (Tyrannosaurus Rex) near Ridgeside Drive near Sediment Drive on Jan. 21, 2013.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

An old multiple arm saguaro appears to ready to topple over Friday, Sept. 10, 2004 near Teal Blue Trail and Moore Roads.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

Scenery along the Valley View Overlook Trail at Saguaro National Park West on Dec. 15, 2010.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A saguaro appears to embrace the sunset in Sabino Canyon along the final stretch of a hike on the Phoneline Trail. Photo taken January 10, 2015. Doug Kreutz / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A crested saguaro with numerous arms soaks up the sun on the city's northwest side. Crested saguaros are quite rare happening only 1 in 10,000.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

This saguaro, along the Mica View Trail at Saguaro National Park east of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, was leaning at a precarious angle before it fell to the ground in early 2015. Photo by Doug Kreutz / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

This cristate, or crested, saguaro in Sabino Canyon near ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is putting on a good bloom. Photo taken June 3, 2014. Photo by Doug Kreutz / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A rare crested saguaro in Sabino Canyon near ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has plenty of blooms and buds this spring. Photo taken June 3, 2014.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A prickly pear cactus is growing out of a saguaro in the Desert Garden area along the Bajada Loop Nature Trail in Sabino Canyon northeast of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A Saguaro cactus on Soldiers Trail Road that looks like an elephant in 1973. The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen called it a "Saguarontosaurus." "This spiny antecedent of the ponderous pachyderm stalks the desert east of town," the newspaper wrote. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen file
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A fountain shaped like a saguaro cactus stands in front of a real cactus at a home in Dove Mountain on Aug. 31, 2010.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

Saguaros stand against a sky of patchy clouds Thursday afternoon on July 31, 2003 at Saguaro National Park near ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A rare tri-crested saguaro seems to be waving in the Tortolita Mountains on Jan. 3, 2002.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A saguaro wears a bikini outside a Pizza Hut at East Sunrise Drive and Swan Road June 17, 1997.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

This rider has a cute little Saguaro cactus with a golf ball hat on his helmet during El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on Saturday November 19, 2011, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A rare crested saguaro cactus stands on the land of the 2,073-acre Green Valley preserve Oct. 7, 2007 in Green Valley, Ariz.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s quirky saguaros

A prickly pear cactus and another cactus grow out of one of the scars on the side of the transplanted saguaro Monday Sept. 9, 2002.Ìý