Atlanta
A City Feeling the Heat
Atlanta’s urban core is heating faster than nearly any other city in the Southeast. Miles of asphalt, limited canopy cover, and rising summer temperatures have created severe heat islands where shade is scarce and air quality suffers. Neighborhoods with fewer trees often face the greatest impacts including higher energy costs and poor air health. Novelect’s Native Shade 50 responds by rebuilding Atlanta’s natural canopy through local action, planting native trees that restore cool, clean air to the communities that need it most.
Our Approach
Native Shade is Novelect’s hands-on reforestation project for Atlanta. We identify heat-prone areas, partner with schools and neighborhood groups, and plant native species like oak, magnolia, and sweetgum that thrive in Georgia’s climate. Each site receives a maintenance plan, soil conditioning, and educational signage explaining its benefits. Students and volunteers track growth, record local temperatures, and study how shade changes daily comfort. Together, these efforts create green corridors that reconnect people with nature while reducing the city’s heat footprint.
Impact
11+ Trees Planted
4°F Temperature Drop
3 Middle Schools Involved
Milestone goal toward full canopy restoration.
Measured in shaded zones post-planting.
Education programs tied to environmental science.
