Desert Palm United Church of Christ is one of eight faith-based organizations to work with the city of Tempe to increase disaster preparedness and resiliency.

The church is doing its part by installing a community garden to help residents adapt, respond and recover from the impacts of climate change, according to Carissa Fowler.

Fowler is the city’s Heat Mitigation and Resilience Specialist, and she created and manages the Tempe Resilience Hub Network, an initiative designed to empower communities to be better prepared for  and resilient to three main hazards: heat, fires, and power outages.

“The Tempe Resilience Hub Network plays a vital role in building resilience to climate hazards while also fostering community resilience in daily life,” Fowler said. 

The hubs include community gardens, education and programing, bicycle parking, ample shaded areas, green roofs, community gathering spaces, solar panels, backup power, EV charging and emergency food, water, and supplies.

As one of the Tempe faith-based organizations actively involved, Desert Palm United recently received a grant to expand its current garden areas with four additional raised flower and vegetable garden beds that will be available to the public, one that is wheel-chair accessible.

“This is about sustainability, and Desert Palm is excited to participate in this community-wide effort,” Pastor Tom Martinez said. “We celebrate our involvement in this exciting new program the city is sponsoring.”

The Tempe Resilience Hub Network is part of the ongoing action plan for Tempe’s 2022 Climate Action Plan Update, which integrates city departments, non-profits and faith-based organizations in the planning of equitable emergency response to hazards and disruptions. 

Among its focus areas are every day programs and services, resilient infrastructure and a community disruption response plan — an important mission as the Valley continues to experience extreme weather, like Phoenix’s 80 consecutive days of 100-degree or above temperatures and recording 645 heat-related deaths in the county.

“The whole community is affected, and by providing vital resources, support and a sense of community, there is a role for all of us,” Fowler said.