Tree shade program brings 1,000 new trees to Coachella Valley this month
Daniella Lake
COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Imperial Irrigation District in partnership with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments will be planting 1,000 new trees near the Salton Sea by December 31. The organizations were awarded a $2.9 million grant by CAL FIRE for their “Shade Trees for Southern California’s Deserts” initiative.
Through the program, 6,000 trees will be planted across the Coachella and Imperial Valleys over the course of three years.
Salton City resident Graciela Ramos says that the lack of shade keeps her inside her house, and that her family has a number of health problems from the environment in the area. “I have asthma and allergies,” she says.
She tells News Channel 3 that her electricity bill is typically $500. The Imperial Irrigation District says that they hope their tree shade initiative can help residents like her out.
“We believe we’re going to make an impact in terms of the power consumption and improve the overall quality of life to these very vulnerable communities,” says Alex Cardenas, who serves on the board of directors for the organization.