Grants help grow Austin’s tree canopy

Seven partnership projects will receive $1.24 million in Urban Forest Grants to “help grow and protect the community’s healthy tree canopy and provide more trees where they are needed most,” according to a news release from the city. Austin Independent School District, Partners for Education, Agriculture & Sustainability, Austin Parks Foundation, Fruitful Commons, the Contemporary Austin, Ecology Action of Texas, Inc. and Waterloo Greenway Conservancy will use the money to plant and care for trees, restore native landscapes, engage the community and create educational initiatives, among other projects. Denise Lucas, director of the Development Services Department, which administers the grants, said, “We are very excited about the opportunity to support these projects, which will benefit our community’s urban forest by planting and caring for trees and provide community stewardship and educational opportunities.”