Planting Seeds of Change in Bloomington
Turning Data into Shade
Can tree mapping change lives? Dr. Heather Reynolds, Professor of Biology at Indiana University Bloomington, and her students have shown how environmental data, and civic engagement can intersect to make a tangible difference in public housing communities across Monroe County.
With support from Community-Engaged Alliance’s High-Impact Community Engagement Practices Grant, Dr. Reynolds led students in mastering tools like GIS mapping, mixed-methods interviews, and story mapping. Their goal? To assess urban tree coverage in Crestmont public housing blocks and recommend planting strategies that address rising temperatures and climate vulnerability.
Through their collaboration with community partners like the City of Bloomington, CanopyBloomington, and the Housing Authority, students conducted a detailed tree health inventory and delivered planting recommendations—work estimated to have saved the city nearly $5,000 and weeks of staff time.
Even more impressive? The civic learning impact knowing that students walked away feeling empowered to tackle community issues and reported a stronger commitment to careers that serve the public good.
“The results exceeded my expectations… The quality of the deliverables was very impressive,” said one community partner.
The project’s success not only supports the City’s Cool Corridors Initiative, but also cultivates a new generation of civic-minded environmental advocates.
Submit your grant today
Do you have a project like this that blends academic learning, civic engagement, and community benefit? Apply for a Community-Engaged Alliance grant and plant the seeds of change on your campus and beyond.