Yavapai News

SEDONA, Ariz. - The city of Sedona's sustainability program needs 35 resident volunteers for a whole day, in early June, to drive designated paved roads in Sedona, map urban heat islands and collect data as citizen scientists. The data collected will be used to address extreme heat and inform decisions about ways to reduce its negative impacts.

By participating in this initiative, residents have an opportunity to get involved in having Sedona become more sustainable, equitable and resilient in the face of extreme heat. Residents will also gain insights into changes they may want to make in their landscaping and around their homes. 

Specifically, this effort will:

• Identify areas within Sedona that experience more heat than others.
• Determine areas that would benefit from more vegetation.
• Identify areas for future cooling centers and shade structures.
• Inform future building codes.
• Assist the city in becoming more resilient in the face of extreme heat.

Volunteers will travel routes in the morning, afternoon and evening on a predetermined day in early June – during the hottest and driest part of summer – and collect data using car and bike-mounted sensors that record temperature, humidity, time and a volunteer’s location. 

Background information

The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) selected Sedona to participate in a national heat mapping campaign along with 17 other U.S. cities this summer. Urban heat islands are areas with few trees/bushes and more pavement; these areas can be significantly hotter than nearby areas with more vegetation and less asphalt. Addressing extreme heat and reducing the urban heat island effect is a direct action within Sedona’s Climate Action Plan. 

Volunteer now

To volunteer, fill out this form (English and Spanish) before May 21, 2023: https://forms.gle/VGrTAaFwL1CJWBw58.

Original source can be found here.