Imperial Irrigation District customers in the Coachella Valley have the chance to enter a lottery to have a shade tree professionally planted at their residence starting Monday.
Customers will be able to sign up for the program through Sept. 11 on the IID’s website, iid.com/customer-service/save-energy-and-money/your-home/tree-for-all.
The Residential Shade Tree program offers utility customers one shade tree installed free of charge by a licensed contractor. Lottery winners will be chosen and contacted by IID representatives within four to six weeks after the sign-up period.
Officials said the trees naturally provide shade around a residence that can help reduce the cost of home cooling and improve local air quality.
“Shade trees are a simple but meaningful way to help customers save energy and improve their homes,” Karin Eugenio, board chairwoman, said in a statement. “This program provides a direct benefit to customers while also supporting healthier, more beautiful communities across IID’s service area.”
Each tree was selected to thrive in desert areas, according to the IID. Planting is expected to take place between October and December.
When registering for the program, IID customers have the option to choose among tree species selected for their durability in the desert environment, planted in an optimal location to maximize energy savings by providing shade to homes.
IID customers may participate in the tree giveaway once every 12 months.
Since the program began, IID has distributed thousands of trees to households in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys. The approximate number of trees that have been provided each year are:
- 2022, 500 trees
- 2023, 1,000
- 2024, 1,000
- 2025, 1,300
For questions about the program, email info@iidshadetrees.com.
