Congratulations to Exchange member, City of Boynton Beach, for being awarded the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) Grant! The city has been awarded a $100,000 grant to develop a data-informed, community-driven urban heat resilience strategy using the Steps to Resilience Framework. This effort will help combat extreme heat risk and advance solutions such as expanding tree canopy and enhancing cooling infrastructure. Project partners include ICLEI USA, Community Greening, EcoAdapt, and American Forests. All will collaborate with Boynton Beach to build a more resilient, healthier community. Boynton Beach, FL is the first community in Florida to be awarded this grant opportunity.
Boynton Beach is centering equity throughout its grant activities by meeting community members where they are and ensuring all voices can shape the work. The City will host four separate workshops, one in each Commission District, to surface the distinct needs and priorities of each neighborhood. To broaden access, residents who cannot attend in person will be able to complete a survey, with paper copies available for those without internet or computer access. The City is also creating a welcoming environment by offering light refreshments at workshops and donating any leftover food to the local food pantry. Additionally, Boynton Beach is partnering with American Forests on an updated urban tree canopy assessment, which will help guide equitable strategies for addressing urban heat and improving resilience across the community.
Looking ahead, Boynton Beach is advancing several initiatives to strengthen community resilience and equity. The City is partnering with the AGU Thriving Earth Exchange to identify optimal locations for cooling centers, which will serve as resilience hubs during extreme heat events. The Urban Heat Resilience Strategy will provide a comprehensive implementation roadmap for a range of adaptation and mitigation measures across the city. In addition, the City is completing the urban tree canopy assessment in collaboration with American Forests, which will supplement the work funded by this grant and support long-term planning for equitable heat mitigation and environmental improvements. Members can now access presentations regarding this grant opportunity. Consider becoming a member of the Exchange today to stay updated with this project!
