Agenda 03-17-2026; 8-h - Approval of the 2026 Orange County Heat Action Plan

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21 GOAL 3: Cool Homes and i Neighborhoods The goal of Orange County heat action is to prevent extreme heat events from becoming private or public emergencies.Safety amidst rising temperatures is dependent on access to cool spaces and resources and home and neighborhood cooling over the long-term is essential 1 to this effort.The final action area in this plan focuses on creating and preserving cool spaces across Orange County. Efforts to cool homes,including tree giveaways in heat-vulnerable communities and assistance with home weatherization,help to create _ •: x .i' safe,cooled indoor spaces throughout the heat season.They also reduce energy demand and energy cost burden by eliminating excess energy . Enhanced ecosystems for wildlife use and creating cooling through other methods such as shade. . Reduced urban heat island effects in developed areas Efforts to increase public water and shade access ensure that Orange Increasing tree cover in Orange County provides community-wide County residents and visitors have access to cooling wherever they are. benefits and nature-based cooling.Educational materials to aid with Orange County is considering a variety of actions to enhance the tree tree care will be distributed to aid in tree longevity and survival rate.In canopy and install other green infrastructure strategies,including the some cases,such as Orange County's grant program to plant 100 trees, installation of cool roofs and green roofs on public buildings and use of professional maintenance plans will be provided to ensure trees not cool pavements. only survive but thrive.Native trees and species will be prioritized,and These projects will reduce urban heat island effects and create a cooler, this initiative will be evaluated and modified to optimize tree survival more energy efficient community.These long-term strategies are rates. essential to creating extreme heat resilience throughout Orange County. Community Partners: Action 15:Tree Giveaways and Plantings Orange County Cooperative Extension,North Carolina Urban Forest Council,North Carolina Forest Service,North Carolina State University Increase the tree canopy in Orange County. College of Natural Resources,Trees for the Triangle,Duke Energy,Keep Orange County,the Town of Chapel Hill,the Town of Carrboro,and the Durham Beautiful,libraries,Orange County Schools,City and County Town of Hillsborough's tree council are engaged in multiple forms of Parks and Recreation,Community Centers,HOAs,UNC-Chapel Hill tree giveaways.The Town of Chapel Hill offered tree giveaways in the Northside Neighborhood in 2023. Action 16:Water and Shade Access The Town of Carrboro awarded a grant to a neighborhood experiencing Enhance cooling features,including publicly accessible shade higher than average temperatures to plant trees on private property structures,shaded bus stops,hydration stations,and pools,as in 2025.In 2024,Orange County was awarded a grant to plant well as greenery in public spaces. approximately 100 trees in areas of the County vulnerable to heat stress. Orange County and its municipal government partners have various The Town of Hillsborough's Tree Council also organizes community tree amenities to help keep people who are spending time outdoors cool plantings and gives trees to volunteers. during periods of extreme heat.The County and municipal partners will Trees provide numerous community benefits,including: work to identify opportunities for more cooling features(e.g.publicly • Shade during hot,sunny days accessible shade structures such as bus stops,water fountains,water bottle refill stations,water distribution/giveaways,pools,and splash • Keeping ambient temperatures cooler pads in public parks),and prioritize the expansion of access to these • Decreased stormwater runoff amenities,especially for heat-stressed populations. • Improved air quality Particular emphasis will be placed on adding shading structures and other cooling resources at bus stops throughout the County,as these 19