Join the UHLA
Apply now!The Urban Heat Leadership Academy (UHLA), offered by The Nature Conservancy, aims to build the capacity of Maricopa County residents to advocate for greener, healthier and cooler communities. Participants will engage on topics related to urban heat, learn why heat is felt differently in urban areas based on lack of shade cover, and how to advocate for change through local political systems.
The program is offered in Spanish and English, is free of charge and open to Maricopa County residents. Submit your application before the deadline of May 7th, 2025.
Questions? Contact Amy Scoville-Weaver at a.scovilleweaver@tnc.org.
Applicants Should:
- Have an interest in learning about neighborhood improvements, urban heat and advocacy
- Be a resident of Maricopa County
- Be committed to attending all sessions
- Be committed to completing the online, self-paced lessons
Format
The program is offered both virtually and in person with online lessons providing participants the flexibility to learn at their own pace. The self-paced lessons can be accessed through Conservation Training, a free online learning platform.
The online lessons are broken into five modules, which are offered in both English and Spanish. Participants review the material in the modules and complete online lessons on their own time. The Academy meets every other Saturday beginning June 21 to review the content from the previous module and hear from experts on the topics covered in the lessons.
Key Dates
March 24 — Application Opens
May 7—Application Deadline
May 12—Applicants informed of next steps
June 7—UHLA Launch
| Session | Date | Format | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Overview | Saturday, June 7th | In-person at Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center | 9-11 a.m. |
| Module 1: Understanding the system | Saturday, June 21st | Zoom | 9-10:30 a.m. |
| Module 2: Sustainability challenges and opportunities | Saturday, July 12th | Zoom | 9-10:30 a.m. |
| Module 3: Sustainability solutions | Saturday, July 26th | Zoom | 9-10:30 a.m. |
| Module 4: Skills and tools for influencing change | Saturday, August 9th | Zoom | 9-11 a.m. |
| Module 4 (cont.) | Saturday, August 23rd | Zoom | 9-11 a.m. |
| Module 4 (cont.) | Saturday, September 6th | Zoom or in-person field trip | 9-11 a.m. |
| Module 5: Taking action | Saturday, September 20th | Zoom | 9-10:30 a.m. |
| Graduation | Saturday, October 4th | In-person | 9-11 a.m. |
Benefits of Participation
- Increased knowledge of heat and how to support mitigating heat in your community
- New relationships and connections with other Phoenix residents, community leaders, NGOs and cities
- Opportunity to participate in an applied learning program upon graduation, which will support you in applying your skills to a tree planting or other on-the-ground heat mitigation project
- Being a part of an established learning community with access to opportunities in the future
Ready to Make a Difference?
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