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Nature in the City - Austin
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Banner that says "Stories Through Nature: a project of the 2020 Youth Forest Council". The words are hand written and playful. The text is surrounded by illustrations of leaves.

Written by Antonia; August 26, 2020

For the last tree I would be filming in Austin, I decided to film the Ashe Juniper tree in my backyard. I’ve always loved Junipers, although I’m not entirely sure why, and it’s always been my favorite tree near my house. I’ve always wa…

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Written by Keith Babberney | Forester | Community Tree Preservation Division | City of Austin 

Illustrations by Laura Jackson 

Drawing of a landscape showing the best placement of trees based on mature size.

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Written by Edgar; September 2020

 

The beginning of my college days began in a new city during a pandemic. Everyone wore masks and followed COVID regulations. It felt welcoming and fresh. Trees align the streets of Boston University allowing me to appreciate all sorts of colors during fall. 2020 has been a rough year, however these colorful trees have given me energy to keep going through this weird year.

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Banner: Stories Through Nature - a project of the 2020 Youth Forest Council

Written by Evelyn; September 28, 2020

 

By now, I would have been in Philly — meeting other freshman, adjusting to a new city, new weather. Unfortunately, 2020 had different plans in mind. My college campus decided to close for the fall semester one week before I was meant to fly out. I was so looking forward to living with my best friend and starting a new chapter of my life. After missin…

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In 2020, the City of Austin's Community Tree Preservation Division released the Community Tree Priority Map. This resource prioritization tool is for everyone to use including city programs, partners, policymakers, Urban Forest Grant applicants, arborists, and more. It provides access to relevant data comparable across Austin’s neighborhoods. For example, tree canopy data helps uncover disparities in historically under-canopied areas. This enables people to decide where activities like planting, tree care, and community outreach could occur around Aus…

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Banner: Stories Through Nature - a project of the 2020 Youth Forest Council

Written by Antonia; August 20, 2020

Live Oak

As the date for my departure to Philadelphia grew closer, I decided to visit a place I hadn’t been to in a long time. In Austin, there’s a lovely park behind this popular grocery store in my area. As a child, I hosted and attended many birthday parties there, as well as play dates with friends. I spent countless hours…

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Banner: Stories Through Nature - a project of the 2020 Youth Forest Council

Written by Evelyn; October 23, 2020

 

Hello you. I heard you are interested in Leaf and Tree Identification! You are in the right place. ?

First, I want to share the resources I have used to identify my collection of leaves so you can later identify yours!  

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Written by Antonia; August 16, 2020

Jerusalem Thorn

(Parkinsonia aculeata)

 

This tree was on a trail I sometimes walked back in high school during my weekly Austin Youth River Watch meetings. We didn’t walk down this path very often, but the few times that we did, it was always a beautiful sight and I have pleasant memories of exploring the area with my friends. Had it been a normal year, I probably would have come out here with those friends to…

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Banner: Stories Through Nature - a project of the 2020 Youth Forest Council

Written by Evelyn; August 13, 2020

 

Photo: Tall tree with red leaves at the University of Pennsylvania campus.

 

 

 

 

2019 had been my year. A year full of traveling, fun, and friends. But it was also a year full of work, effort, and grit. As I was…

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A banner that says "Stories Through Nature: A Project of the 2020 Youth Forest Council"

 

Hey fellow tree enthusiasts! 

Welcome to our Community Action Project (CAP). We are three interns working with the City of Austin’s Development Services Department. Through our one-year journey, we have expanded our knowledge of the urban forest, helped on projects benefiting the community, and come to appreciate the nature around us even more. 

 

What is an urban forest? …