About the Cool Lot Project

5 groups | 5 “shade forest” lots | 77 trees | +50 volunteers

The Cool Lot project is an active learning climate literacy project. Groups of neighbors, neighborhood associations, and community-based organizations apply to the Cool Lot project to:

1. Build an understanding of climate change through group discussions and planting projects.

2. Work together to develop a climate resilience plan for their neighborhood.

3. Take action to keep their neighborhood safe from near-future weather hazards, such as heavy rains and heat, by planting “shade forests” or “rain gardens” on an empty lot in their neighborhood or on their organization’s property.

Cool Lot cohorts are engaged in the Cool Lot project for approximately one year. This is gives them time to work with the Climate Resilient Flint team to design the lot, order plant material, coordinate a planting party, and plant in the spring. Between the lot design and planting parties, Cool Lot groups attend two forums to learn about climate change in their area and develop a climate resilience plan for their neighborhood or organization.

Top image: Katherine Price Mini-Park before/after photos. Bottom image: Timeline of Cool Lot project, from Oct 2024 - Aug 2025.

All images on this site were taken or created by members of the Climate Resilient Flint team or Program Evaluation Group, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.