Everyone Agrees on Trees

From litigation to collaboration: How CURE is planting common ground.

What if the solutions to extreme heat and poor nutrition were already in our schoolyards? 

Twenty-five years ago, CURE brought impact litigation challenging development in flood and fire prone areas. It seemed obvious that the more people who live in a dangerous area, the more damages will occur when there are disasters. We also challenged large water transfers from agriculture to urban areas because of the economic and environmental impacts on farming communities.

Did CURE's predictions come true? In most instances the answer is "yes." Studies were published documenting how development in the urban/forest interface needed to be better controlled. Scientists and academics have documented the tragic (and avoidable) damage to the Salton Sea resulting from water transfers.

Though we are hopeful that elected officials and government agencies draw on those lessons when making decisions today, we see residents rebuild in locations that recently burned and the loosening of environmental laws everywhere. What CURE has learned is that proving a point, even winning, doesn't always change outcomes. So we're focusing on where we can make a difference.

Here's where almost everyone agrees. The planting and maintenance of trees reduces temperature by as much as 8 degrees based on studies in Tucson, Arizona; one of the hottest areas in the country. Fresh produce and vegetables simply lead to healthier communities.

CURE is teaming up with local school districts including Riverside Unified School District to create tree endowments: trusts that will ensure there is sufficient funding for planting, watering, and maintaining trees for at least 30 years. Some schools already have gardens to grow vegetables, but more are needed. School curricula also can be paired with these efforts to educate the next generation that even AI or social media won't keep you cool.

In developing an endowment, CURE will be working with local schools on calculating just what the lifecycle of a tree or garden costs, which is often overlooked. Water agencies can and should play a role in these efforts by ensuring sufficient affordable water and helping with best practices.

Shade to fight heat and fresh food for better health are not controversial for the most part. So here's to investing in what we can all get behind in 2026. Want to bring a tree endowment to your school district? Get in touch — we'd love to partner with you.