About the Durham Rooted Faith Project
Tree equity means ensuring all communities have access to the health, environmental, and spiritual benefits that trees provide. In Durham, some neighborhoods face heat islands, poor air quality, and limited green space due to lower tree canopy coverage. The Durham Rooted Faith project is planting trees to reduce urban heat and strengthen protection from pollution as an expression of faith in action.
Tree equity means ensuring all communities have access to the health, environmental, and spiritual benefits that trees provide. In Durham, some neighborhoods face heat islands, poor air quality, and limited green space due to lower tree canopy coverage. The Durham Rooted Faith project is planting trees to reduce urban heat and strengthen protection from pollution as an expression of faith in action.
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In partnership with the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE), we're working with Durham churches to develop customized planting plans and host community tree planting events. By planting trees in sacred spaces, we're improving community health, reducing urban heat, and cultivating a deeper spiritual connection to God's creation.
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Program Highlights
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Site Assessment & Planning: Local arborists will work with you to develop a customized tree planting plan. |
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Trees & Supplies Provided: All trees, mulch, and planting materials delivered at no cost to your congregation. |
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Expert Support: An arborist will be onsite during your planting event to train volunteers and guide the planting process.
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Tree Caretaker Funding: Resources and funds to hire a paid Tree Caretaker who will care for your trees for two growing seasons after planting. |
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Faith-Based Resources: Worship materials and educational resources to help you incorporate creation care and the theology of trees into congregational life, including at the tree planting events. |
Eligible Communities
We are prioritizing outreach and engagement with congregations located in communities identified as disadvantaged by the EPA's Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. These are neighborhoods that experience disproportionate environmental burdens, including limited tree canopy, higher heat exposure, and reduced access to green spaces. See if your congregation is in a priority area:
Timeline
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Current Status Relationship Building We are actively recruiting congregations and building partnerships. |
Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Recruitment & Planning Recruiting participating congregations, conducting site assessments, and developing tree planting and stewardship plans with local arborists. |
Fall 2026 Tree Planting Community tree planting events at participating congregations. |
Get Involved!
For this program, either your Congregation can become involved, or you can individually volunteer as a Tree Planter.
For this program, either your Congregation can become involved, or you can individually volunteer as a Tree Planter.
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Congregations
What You'll Receive:
What's Expected:
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Eligibility:
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Volunteer Individually
Opportunities to participate in tree planting events, workshop support, and community engagement will be posted as they become available. If you live in or around Hampton Roads, Virginia, click the button below to sign up to volunteer! |
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Additional Resources
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Contact
Questions? Contact Katerina Gonzales at [email protected] for questions about our tree equity projects. Sign up for Tree Equity updates here!
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Partners
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