Great Parks Are Rooted in Trees

In an initiative designed to improve San Antonio’s tree canopy, the City of San Antonio embarked on a $1.4 million tree planting initiative that resulted in 9,000 trees being planted in City parks in one year's time.

The campaign featured the planting of trees in more than 80 City parks. Some parks received as many as 300 or more new trees. Their locations were strategically planned in all 10 City Council Districts for maximum benefit.

The $1.4 million was funded from the Tree Mitigation Program.

Great Communities Are Rooted in Trees

As part of the campaign to improve the city’s tree canopy, we also partnered with City Public Service Energy, San Antonio Water System, and the Texas Forest Service to implement a Tree Rebate for Energy Savings Program for both commercial and residential customers.

Through this program, which will kick off this fall, citizens will be able to purchase up to three trees and receive a rebate from CPS of $50 per tree. This program is expected to result in the planting of an additional 7,632 trees.

The program is funded from the American Recover & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Energy Conservation Block Grant received by the City of San Antonio.

We encourages citizens and businesses to join in the initiative, which has the long term goal of increasing the tree canopy from 38 percent to 40 percent. To reach that goal, San Antonio must plant 450,000 trees.

Additionally we will continue the Tree Challenge Program, which focuses on assisting neighborhood associations and organizations, as well as businesses, in beautifying their properties with trees. Applications are available on annual basis for this program.

The Parks and Recreation Department will continue to work with volunteer groups to do tree plantings and to do tree giveaways at community events.

The benefits include increased property values, reduced energy consumption, reduced storm water runoff, which in turn helps control flooding, protection of the Edwards Aquifer, cleaner water, and a more beautiful city.