The hottest municipality in Grant County, Hurley, is planting a cooler community on Saturday, Oct. 17, with Tree New Mexico (Tree NM), a statewide urban forestry nonprofit. Hurley residents will receive 100 trees at a massive planting.
Volunteers are needed to help plant trees in front yards across the town to help lower temperatures by offering future shade along streets and sidewalks. Registration for volunteers is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at A Street Park, 300 A Street. Planting begins at 10 a.m. and is usually completed by noon.
Surface temperatures in Hurley can reach a sweltering 124 degrees, up to four degrees hotter than the hottest surface temperatures in other county municipalities, according to the 2025 Community Forest Management Plan for the Town of Hurley.
Research by the US Environmental Protection Agency has found shade of trees can cool surface temperatures by 20 to 45 degrees. That's why Tree NM focuses on plantings free trees in homeowners' front yards to shade sidewalks and decrease what is termed the "heat island effect" from roadways.
Tree NM Silver City Regional co-coordinator Kendra Milligan said, "Hurley residents, the Town, and businesses have been so welcoming of the program. We need every hand we can get to see the trees planted in their new homes to cool this community."
Along with a chance to get your hands in the soil and make a difference in the community, the best part of the planting is the holes are already dug, volunteers are led by tree experts in proven planting methods, and tools are provided. Volunteers should bring gloves, a hat, water bottle, and close-toed shoes.
A posole lunch will be served after the planting to volunteers, donated by the local restaurant Chili Charm, and a vegetarian option donated by Safe Space Tree Care.
Milligan stated, "Tree NM will also give away an equal number of trees to the amount they plant. These 5-gallon trees can be planted anywhere." The Hurley tree giveaway is Monday, Oct. 19, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at A Street Park. The program offers climate-ready trees, which are suited to the drier and increasingly hot environment of southwest New Mexico.
After planting and distributing over 200 trees in Grant County in the last year, Tree NM is branching out to offer classes in tree care too.
The Hurley Community Center will host a free Tree Care Class with door prizes on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5 to 6 p.m., at the Hurley Community Center, which covers how to best plant a tree and watering methods for the changing environment. The center is located at 302 Carrasco Ave.
The next plantings are scheduled for Santa Clara and Silver City in Spring 2027, and residents can register to adopt a tree for their front yard by visiting https://bit.ly/sctrees.
For more information call 505-538-6016 or email
