Alma School Road Climate Plan in Action

CITY OF MESA CLIMATE

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN IN ACTION ALONG ALMA SCHOOL ROAD

“I speak for the trees!” A well-remembered line from the popular movie, The Lorax, where everything is artificial, and the air is a commodity. The premise of this movie might be exaggerated when referencing some opinions regarding climate change and sustainability, or deforestation. Still, this topic of climate sustainability has caused the City of Mesa to take action on its Climate Action Plan released in June of 2022.  Dobson Ranch has seen the results firsthand these past few months. An example of the implementation of the City of Mesa Climate Action Plan is located on the west side of Alma School Road between Baseline and Guadalupe Roads. If you have been in this area recently, you may have noticed City of Mesa workers planting trees and desert-friendly ground cover in the landscaped area. City of Mesa Mayor John Giles stated in the plan’s introduction, “I’m excited that we are taking a critical next step to protect and preserve our environment for generations to come. It is time for us to be bold and determined and to set achievable goals that guide us in our work to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions” (2022). We reached out to Vice Mayor Heredia regarding the revitalization of Alma School Road, and he stated on behalf of the City of Mesa that “the catalyst for this revitalization was a combined recognition from the feedback of residents and businesses who wanted to see improvements to the community” (2024).

Vice Mayor Heredia continued, “The Dobson Ranch area has always had a rich history and a unique character, and we saw this as an opportunity to enhance the cause while addressing the need

for updated infrastructure, increased shade, and beautification of the area” (2024). The infrastructure Vice Mayor Heredia speaks of is the required repairs of the aging irrigation lines along the west side of Alma School. The City of Mesa Climate Action Plan also states one of the goals as they look into the future is to invest in neighborhood parks and preserve natural open space” (mesaaz.gov, 2022). Some surveys revealed in the Action Plan list the initiatives that residents think would benefit most, and a resilient water supply and a tree and shade plan are the top two benefits.

It is well-known that in Arizona’s suburban neighborhoods, planting groundcover and trees is much more than a landscaping choice—it is a critical step toward enhancing the environment, boosting property values, increasing the community’s appearance, and improving the mental well-being of residents. By choosing the right plants and caring for them wisely, Dobson Ranch homeowners can create vibrant, sustainable, and resilient landscapes around their homes that thrive in harmony with their surroundings. If you are passionate about water conservation within Dobson Ranch, the Water & Lake Management Committee is always looking for homeowners to participate and join in. by Chad Turner Communications Administrator