 The tree planting has significant impact on our climate, on our environment. The other benefits that kind of manifest from that is really that true community building. My name is Keana Kazemi and today I'll guide us through a conversation on cooperative climate action. We're meeting up with Joel of American Forests to talk about how trees are essential for communities to thrive. We'll learn about the small steps we can take today for a better outdoors tomorrow. So tell me what is the role of trees in our urban communities? Trees are an essential infrastructure. They're our best air conditioner, our best air filter, our natural sponge, and so many other carbon capture and environmental benefits. When we talk about all of these technical terms and when we talk about the climate, sometimes it's really hard to talk to the community about that. So how do you approach that? When you're living in a community that maybe doesn't have a lot of trees and has other issues, you aren't necessarily thinking about carbon capture, but you are thinking about how hot it is when you're waiting at the bus stop or when you're trying to play with your kids in the park and you don't have anywhere to get shade. And so talking to people about issues that impact them on a daily basis is really how you want to start the conversation. So are there things that people can do beyond just planting a tree? Showing up at city council meetings, signing petitions, using your social media to amplify messaging. All of these small steps together create huge collective impact to transform our cities. I know that something that American Forest does is provide access to this thing called the tree equity score. So what does that look like? Can you run me through it? Tree equity score is an online map and tool that American Forest developed to help people see where the tree canopy gaps are in their city. And you can take that information to city council meetings, to private sector, to anyone and really paint the picture of where trees are needed and who can benefit the most from more trees. Having access to information like this is not only really inspiring but also empowering and knowing how to take action. And a resource that I refer to often is REI's Cooperative Action Network that helps me better understand and have access to initiatives that are happening around the country that I can tap into. Having that information easily available online is really critical to making this work possible. And I'm glad you mentioned REI because American Forest partners with REI to help advance tree equity and build healthy resilient forests and communities across the country. We caught up with Monica Tabaris, Vice President of the Greening of Detroit to learn about the impact that newly developed green spaces have on urban communities. The Greening of Detroit is truly about connecting community members, residents, to really support and develop a healthier and cleaner community for all those who work here, play here, most importantly live here in the city of Detroit. The community drives our programs in that they help shape them. They help shape what they are. They want to know that their voice is part of the development. Through our efforts, we make them part of that process. It's all of us. It's all of us doing our parts. It's key that we all interact to make it possible. To me, that's the most inspirational part of this work, is seeing people come together in the community, take cooperative action to really make a difference. It's funny because I have a 14-year-old daughter who says, if you like trees so much, why do you spend so much time indoors? So I had to explain to her that trees are more than about having something nice to look at or providing shade or even the amazing climate benefits they provide. Trees are really about all the opportunities that it provides to bring people together and to inspire the next generation of advocates and stewards to make the world a better place. Is there anything you want to tell anyone that might be interested in joining in on the cooperative action? Messaging and meeting people where they're at is so important. And we like to say that when one person takes a small action towards climate equity, it's like planting a seed. When many others join them, we can build a forest. That's so beautiful, and I can't wait to meet you at that forest. Thank you. Thank you.