City of Gresham introduces first-ever climate action plan

GRESHAM, Ore. (KATU) — The city of Gresham adopted its first-ever climate action plan. This comes after many milestones in the last 17 years to reduce greenhouse gases in Gresham.

City leaders say it's a five-year mission to help the community be more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

This is perfect timing with the warm-up we will see this week.

With warmer weather coming soon officials are taking a look at heat-related concerns.

The city of Gresham is already taking steps to improve the community's health and safety when we get to hot days.

Before the city adopted the climate change plan they received community feedback highlighting heat strategy as a high priority.

Planting and maintaining trees is just one technique for heat-related concerns.

The city of Gresham Assistant City Manager Steve Fancher says they plan to implement cooling infrastructure to help citizens cool off in the heat.

"Having more shade in the public spaces, so more tree canopy, connecting people who need them with air conditioning, heat pumps cause we know it's going to get hotter and the city's role in this connect community with partners who have resources to help," Francher said.

The city has four large grants to plant more trees around the city.

Gresham is partnering with organizations like "Friends with Trees" to utilize grant money to increase the shade in heat islands to promote biking and walking and continue storm water management.

In the climate action plan, Gresham also introduced its plan to review GIS data to identify and prioritize neighborhood tree canopy improvements.