Goal 3: At least 50% citywide tree canopy cover is achieved by 2050, focusing on increasing canopy cover equitably.
Equity Themes
This goal works towards the following equity themes as defined in the Austin Climate Equity Plan:
Strategy 1: Protect canopy cover on City lands
Adopt a “no net loss” policy for tree canopy on public lands.
Work status
City of Austin partners
- Development Services Department, Urban Forestry Program
What's been done so far?
Tree canopy monitoring: The Urban Forestry Program has collected tree canopy cover data to continue monitoring and analyzing citywide tree canopy cover. It collects and manages tree inventory data to effectively and efficiently manage trees on public property.
Climate-ready trees: The Vulnerability Assessment of Austin’s Urban Forest and Natural Areas and the Climate Change Response Framework are being used to reduce our urban forest's vulnerability to climate change.
What's next?
The Urban Forestry Program will publish the City's official canopy cover data every four years. The program plans to purchase a complete inventory of trees in developed areas of parks and along public right of way. This will be the city's first full inventory and will enable proactive care for city trees. There will be a significant cost associated with this work, and it will benefit other departments, such as the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments.
Equity in implementation
The Urban Forestry Program is working on applying the Equity Toolkit to
its work and plans to use the toolkit to review all programming.
Community support and involvement
The Urban Forestry Program partners with community groups to sponsor stewardship, conservation, and general tree education throughout Austin using the Urban Forest Grant. It partners with Cities Connecting Children to Nature - Youth Leadership Working Group to engage young people and develop environmental career pipelines.
Challenges and other considerations
The Urban Forestry Program does not actively manage any public land. It leverages partnerships to cover a lot of ground, but does not have responsibility or authority over public land. The group plans to work with the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments when it acquires the full tree inventory. The cost of transitioning from reactive maintenance to proactive maintenance of public trees will be significant. The program plans to serve as a resource and consultant to foster this transition, but additional funding is needed.
Strategy 2: Promote tree protections and landscape regulations
Promote no net loss of tree canopy on private developments by increasing tree protections and landscape regulation or working with developers and homeowner’s associations to create incentives.
Work status
City of Austin partners
- Development Services Department, City Arborist Program
What's been done so far?
The City's tree protection and replanting regulations have been implemented. The City has had tree protection regulations since 1983.
What's next?
Continue implementing the tree regulations in the Land Development Code.
Equity in implementation
Staff is working on revisions to the tree-related material in the Environmental Criteria Manual, which include the rules for implementing the Land Development Code, focusing on plain language, usability, and writing to the point. The team has reduced unnecessary text and made the document more accessible. Revisions are in the process of being adopted.
Community support and involvement
The City Arborist and staff have engaged numerous public forums and the Environmental Commission regarding rule updates. Staff also holds regulation 101 workshops for neighborhood groups and those that use the Code and Rules daily.
Challenges and other considerations
Updating the Land Development Code.
Strategy 3: Increase community tree planting
Increase City funding for community tree-planting programs focused on low-income communities and communities of color.
Work status
City of Austin partners
- Development Services Department, Urban Forestry Program
What's been done so far?
Several programs that help meet this strategy are currently underway:
- NeighborWoods: Free tree distribution program for Austin area residents.
- Ready, Set, Plant!: Community-engaged creekside reforestation program.
- Urban Forest Grant: Provides funding for community tree planting and education programs.
- Urban Forest Funding Portal: Provides funding for City of Austin-sponsored tree planting and education programs.
- Community Tree Priority Map: Serves as a decision support tool to determine where to focus forestry activities.
What's next?
Continue building partnerships with City departments, community groups, and Austin ISD to support more tree planting. Develop an Urban Forest Health Program that centers climate adaptation and strengthens citywide canopy cover.
Equity in implementation
The Urban Forestry Program is working on applying the Equity Toolkit to its work and plans to use the toolkit to review all programming. The Community Tree Priority Map centers equity in the way priorities are determined. The Urban Forestry Program has set a goal for tree distribution of at least 70% of trees going to high-priority areas. When evaluating grant applications, those from high-priority areas are prioritized for funding.
Community support and involvement
The Urban Forestry Program partners with community groups to sponsor stewardship, conservation, and general tree education throughout Austin using the Urban Forest Grant. Tree distribution and planting programs engage with the community regularly.
Challenges and other considerations
Climate change makes establishing new trees very challenging, and more trees are removed annually than are planted. Tree planting budgets for maintenance and operational teams that manage City property are currently inadequate to support the large-scale investment needed for tree planting, establishment, and care.
Strategy 4: Promote tree health and resilience on private and non-City public lands
Create a tree, water and soil management, and resilience guide for various types of private property. Provide City technical and financial assistance for tree planting and care for residents and small businesses in low-income communities and communities of color to ensure long-term health and tree canopy benefits in Austin neighborhoods.
Work status
City of Austin partners
- Development Services Department, Urban Forestry Program
What's been done so far?
- Tree canopy monitoring: The Urban Forestry Program has collected tree canopy cover data to monitor and analyze citywide tree canopy.
- Community Tree Priority Map: The City of Austin’s Community Tree Priority Map is a decision support tool to determine where to focus forestry activities.
- Urban forest youth programming: This collaboration with partner organizations fosters a green jobs pipeline for young people in the Austin area.
What's next?
The Community Urban Forest Health Program involves outreach and education to the community to strengthen citywide canopy cover. The program plans to use the Vulnerability Assessment of Austin’s Urban Forest and Natural Areas and the Climate Change Response Framework to reduce our urban forest's vulnerability to climate change.
Equity in implementation
The Urban Forestry Program is working on applying an equity tool to its work and plans to use it to review all programming. The Community Tree Priority Map centers equity in the way priorities are determined. The Urban Forestry Youth Programming team centers equity in its approach to working with young people.
Community support and involvement
As the Urban Forest Health Program develops, community engagement will be a core component of the program. Current education and outreach efforts target community engagement through events and social media.
Challenges and other considerations
The exponential population growth has made Austin a large city with many pressing issues and trees take a backseat to other urgent matters. The Urban Forestry Program's community engagement efforts are hampered by a lack of general fund support for staffing and continuity for stewardship programs.