Puerto Rican Community Organization Launches Forest Service to Combat Urban Heat

In May 2025, the Puerto Rican community organization La Maraña launched a new Community Forest Service program designed to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands. The initiative focuses on reforestation and depaving efforts in urban centers, where unshaded roads and buildings often trap heat. By transforming these spaces, the project aims to lower local temperatures and improve public health outcomes for residents. The program is rooted in the belief that local communities possess the deepest understanding of their own environmental challenges and should lead the development of solutions. Urban heat islands occur when dense concentrations of pavement and buildings absorb solar radiation during the day and release it at night. This phenomenon causes cities to become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas, creating health risks for vulnerable populations. La Maraña addresses this by using participatory design, a process that involves local residents in the planning and implementation of climate-ready infrastructure. This approach ensures that the solutions are tailored to the specific needs and geography of each neighborhood. As part of the initial rollout, the organization established a nursery in the town center of Caguas. This facility serves as a hub for sowing, learning, and community meetings, allowing residents to actively participate in the cultivation of native trees. The nursery is intended to strengthen collective work by creating tangible links between neighbors who are invested in the long-term health of their local environment. By fostering this sense of ownership, the project aims to ensure the sustainability of its reforestation efforts. Beyond planting trees, the Community Forest Service is actively collecting climate and public health data. This information is essential for understanding the specific implications of urban heat in Puerto Rican cities and for developing future mitigation strategies. The data collection process allows the organization to measure the effectiveness of their interventions over time. This evidence-based approach helps the group refine its methods and advocate for broader policy changes. Mariangelie, a leader with the organization, emphasizes that the program bridges the gap between scientific research, urban design, and social justice. She notes that the initiative is designed to help communities imagine and build places that are prepared for a changing climate. By integrating ecological knowledge with community-led action, the project seeks to create lasting resilience. The work is part of a growing global trend of utilizing nature-based solutions to address urban environmental issues. This initiative is particularly significant given the history of community-led recovery in Puerto Rico following natural disasters. The organization draws on this experience to build systems that serve as both environmental interventions and social safety nets. By focusing on local management, the project avoids top-down approaches that may overlook the unique social dynamics of a neighborhood. This model of collective management is a cornerstone of their strategy for sustainable development. Similar efforts to increase urban tree canopy are gaining momentum in other regions as well, highlighting the effectiveness of green infrastructure. Trees provide multiple benefits, including the reduction of ambient temperatures, the filtration of stormwater, and the improvement of air quality. These natural systems are increasingly viewed as essential components of modern urban planning. By prioritizing these solutions, cities can better protect their residents from the intensifying impacts of extreme heat. La Maraña’s work is supported by a broader movement that advocates for the integration of nature into the built environment. The organization’s focus on depaving—the removal of unnecessary asphalt—is a key strategy for reducing heat absorption and increasing permeable surfaces. This combination of reforestation and land restoration provides a comprehensive approach to cooling urban spaces. The project serves as a practical example of how small-scale, community-driven actions can contribute to larger climate resilience goals. Looking ahead, the organization plans to expand its reach by sharing its findings and methodologies with other communities. The success of the Caguas nursery provides a blueprint for similar projects across the island. By documenting the impact of their work, La Maraña hopes to encourage more cities to adopt participatory, nature-based strategies. The ultimate goal is to create a network of climate-ready neighborhoods that are better equipped to handle the challenges of a warming world. This initiative demonstrates the potential for local organizations to drive meaningful change through evidence-based, community-centered projects. By focusing on the intersection of environmental health and social empowerment, the program addresses the root causes of urban heat vulnerability. As the project continues to grow, it will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of nature-based solutions in tropical urban settings. The ongoing efforts of the community members involved remain the primary engine for this transformation.