In order to combat the problems associated with urban heat, professional urban planners, architects and scientists can use new technologies and ideas. They can also plan effectively to maximise the benefits of natural resources such as trees and green spaces.

The activities in this step will encourage students to think about their own local environment. By using the data collected in step 3, they can develop a planting map for their own school.

In this step, students will:

• learn about the benefits of sustainable urban planning and how it can help reduce the urban heat island effect in our cities and towns

• think about the effects of climate and seasonal changes on their local environment

• use data collected to create a solution to a problem

• learn how easily they can plant trees themselves and have a positive impact on their local environment.

Because cities have less natural vegetation and more artificial surfaces like concrete and asphalt, there is less evaporative cooling in cities than in country areas. The built surfaces in cities absorb and retain heat, making the surface and ambient temperatures higher in cities.

Rural areas remain cooler because the trees and natural areas create shade and provide evaporative cooling, which means lower surface temperatures and lower ambient temperatures.

It is important for governments to consider retaining trees as part of their urban planning to reduce the heat created in cities.

Tree planting is also an important activity that can be undertaken across all cities worldwide to replace trees that were removed due to urbanisation. This helps reduce temperatures caused by built surfaces in urban areas.

Connectivity is a term used to describe the connection of natural green space corridors that let animals move between larger green spaces like reserves and national parks. Most animals need connecting areas of habitat to safely feed and hide from predators in order to survive. Imagine trying to cross three lanes of traffic to get from your school to your home every day. You would have to find a pedestrian crossing wouldn’t you? Similarly, wildlife needs a green corridor to hunt for food, find shelter or a mate to survive.

You might have seen a wildlife crossing before. These are sometimes built over or underneath busy roads to help reduce road kill in urban areas.

There are many benefits to planting native trees, shrubs and groundcovers at your school. Benefits include:

• more shade to use during recess and lunch times, to help keep students cool

• increased habitat for native animals and invertebrates on your school grounds

• creating a comfortable outdoor learning space for better educational outcomes

• a reduction in urban heat on the school grounds

• increased biodiversity and habitat connectivity for your community

• reduction in need for cooling such as fans and air conditioners and therefore possible future cost savings.

NSW became the first state to take part in the Australian Government's carbon credit scheme in 2016. This kick-started a major land rehabilitation program involving tree planting projects across NSW national parks.

Since 2016, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been planting native trees and shrubs along the natural contours of the landscape to reduce erosion. Once these trees are fully mature, they are expected to remove 100,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.

With the trees protected by the network of national parks and reserves, these results are expected to be permanent.