In celebration of Earth Day, the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department is releasing this year’s State of Our Environment Report, in English and Spanish, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the city’s progress in environmental stewardship. 

Highlights from the 2024 State of Our Environment Report:

• Austin’s greenhouse gas emissions have significantly declined since peaking in 2011, even as our population has grown.

• The City of Austin added more than 500 acres of parkland in 2024.

• Austin’s urban forest boasts approximately 12.2 million trees with a trunk diameter of 5 inches or greater.

• Water Quality Protection Lands Program restored 1,673 acres of native grassland savanna. 

The 2024 State of Our Environment Report’s feature story celebrates the enormous impact community commitment has had on local land conservation through the Water Quality Protection Lands program. “Protecting Austin’s Wild Side” illustrates how staff in multiple departments collaborated for the city to acquire open space, restricted from development, that protects the water quality of Barton Springs. 

Austin is committed to meeting the growing needs of its community without compromising environmental protections. City leaders have addressed housing affordability, one of our city’s biggest challenges, by removing certain barriers for residential projects and embracing balanced development practices. 

"It’s no secret to people who already live in Austin that Central Texas is a beautiful place to call home, in no small part because of our natural resources,” said Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer for the Watershed Protection Department. “Families continue to move here, and the city remains dedicated to development that preserves our natural landscapes. Through policies that support affordable housing and environmental protections, Austin is not only meeting the needs of its expanding population but also ensuring that future generations will benefit from clean air, water, and open spaces."