Boise, ID – A group of young researchers from the Idaho Conservation Corps (ICC) is sharing fresh insight into the ways Boise neighborhoods experience our city’s hottest days. The project, completed with the help of CAPA Strategies, The Center for Regenerative Solutions (CRS), the Treasure Valley Canopy Network (TVCN), and the City of Boise, highlights the importance of trees and vegetation to those living with extreme urban heat.
A team of 12 researchers aged 15 to 26 ran the study, which collected data over a six-week period in 2024 in Boise's Borah neighborhood, an area with high ambient heat and low urban tree canopy. Using advanced sensor technology and conducting on-the-ground surveys, they measured how different surfaces - like grass, trees, and pavement - affect temperatures. The results showed clear differences in heat levels depending on the amount of vegetation and shade.
Key findings include:
- Areas with grass and trees were much cooler than those with pavement, like parking lots. The study recorded a peak temperature of 105°F over asphalt, while areas featuring mature trees and vegetation measured 30-40 degrees cooler than those without during the hottest part of the day.
- Borah Park, which has grass and mature trees, was the coolest spot studied.
- Hotter areas, such as West Franklin Road and the large parking lot at Borah High School, had more concrete and asphalt, while greener areas like West Cassia Street stayed cooler.