State forestry officials say they’ll offer up a significant chunk of $6 million as grant money for groups to plant trees in poor areas of cities.

The plan to spend on increasing shaded and green areas is welcome news to Masavi Perea, deputy director of Chispa Arizona. 

“They are going to make a change. A positive change in our community,” said Perea

State officials say they’ll open the grant application process via the urban forestry program as soon as possible.

Chispa Arizona pushed last year to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which is where the money comes from.

The parts of Maricopa County most in need of more shade trees are Maryvale and south Phoenix, said Perea. “Those are the most hot areas in the Valley because of the heat island effect.”

Perea said per one way of estimating, $6 million is enough to plant and care for about 7,500 trees.