Composting is far more than just free fertilizer for the garden. It’s a vital and necessary sustainability strategy for reducing waste, closing the nutrient cycle, and preventing air pollution that causes climate change. When food scraps, coffee grounds, and yard waste are sent to a landfill, they end up decomposing anaerobically—or without oxygen. This process creates methane, a greenhouse gas 20-35 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change, and build healthy soil. Learn more in Mesa's Climate Action Plan. 

Smart Cycling for Older Adults 🚴🏻

Wed. Nov. 19, 9-11 a..m. Whether you're returning to biking or just getting started, this FREE class is designed to help older adults ride with comfort and confidence. All participants receive a FREE bicycle safety kit to help you get rolling safely and confidently. Dobson Library, 2425 S. Dobson Rd. Get the details. 

The Trees Are Cool initiative challenges every Mesa resident, community group, and business to help us reach our goal of planting one million trees by 2050. 

Planting trees isn’t just about beautifying our yards, parks, and shared spaces – it’s also a powerful way to advance our Climate Action Plan goals. Trees provide shade, filter greenhouse gases, and help cool our community.

If you’ve planted a tree recently, be sure to record it on our interactive Trees Are Cool map — and share a photo like the resident pictured here! The site also offers tips on tree selection, planting, and care. You can even click on the “See Map of Trees Planted” feature to explore more than 13,600 trees planted and recorded by Mesa residents and businesses.

The City of Mesa also continues to host tree-planting events across the city, including the recent ones at Guerrero Park (Oct. 17) and Reed Park (Oct. 25). 

Did you help plant trees at Sherwood Park on Feb. 22? Check out our latest StoryMap highlighting Mesa’s Tree Steward Program and Volunteer Planting efforts.

The Transportation Department is launching the MesaMoves Look Twice Save a Life Challenge, a community-driven initiative promoting safer driving, biking and walking behaviors. Between 2017 and 2022, 1,359 people were seriously...

Mesa Partners with The Be Kind People Project on Innovative Youth-Focused Campaign Against Opioid and Drug Use an innovative partnership with the nonprofit The Be Kind People Project will create educational content for students, educators and parents in Mesa Public Schools and other local institutions. The initiative, Be Aware. Be Strong. Be Healthy™ Mesa is supported by funds from Mesa's opioid settlement...

Water – Use It Wisely Wins Best Community Awareness Campaign In Arizona, water conservation is a winning message. As Arizona residents know well, water conservation is essential to life in our state. Since 1999, Water – Use It Wisely has proudly promoted this message, encouraging residents to save water through simple...

Explore Arizona’s Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens As the temperatures cool down and the holidays approach, it’s time to gather with family and friends, including out-of-town guests. Going for a nature walk is a wonderful way to work off...

Monarch Waystation Dedication On October 18, a new Monarch Waystation was dedicated at the Monarch Haven & Reading Sanctuary at Red Mountain Library. The project, led by Eagle Scout Morgan Willis, was made possible through a grant from the Mesa Youth Climate Action Fund. Watch the video to see how Morgan and her partners created this special habitat for monarchs and other pollinators!

Desert Arroyo Park, 9320 E McKellips Rd. This beautiful 58-acre parcel of native desert uplands is located at the northeast corner of McKellips and Ellsworth Roads. The park takes full advantage of the site’s natural desert landscape focusing on experiencing the native desert.

Park of the Canals, 1710 N Horne. This hidden gem of 31 acres got its name because it is the location of prehistoric (Hohokam period), historic, and modern canals. There is also a playground and botanical garden and walk at the site.

Desert Trails Park, 2955 N Recker Rd. Includes a series of biking trails, a pump track, and a kids’ skills track. The trails consist of a ¾-mile perimeter trail for hiking and non-motorized bike use.

Downtown Mesa. Check out fun events, delicious restaurants, breweries/taprooms, museums, ice skating rink, Merry Main Street (starting Nov. 28), and more.

Be sure to visit the idea Museum, the AZ Museum of Natural History, Sce:dagi Mu:val Va'aki (formerly Mesa Grande Cultural Park), and the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in downtown Mesa.

Need a moment of meditation from the holiday stress? Visit the Monarch Haven and Reading Sanctuary and walk the labyrinth.