TreeFolks is partnering with the City of Austin to plant trees near rivers and streams across the city. Our plan will increase canopy cover and diversity in riparian zones and parklands, creating a better city for current and future residents. 

In 2007, Mayor Steve Adler pledged that the City of Austin will be carbon neutral by 2020 as part of the Paris Climate Accord. Austin has reduced its carbon footprint significantly through renewable energy purchases and has determined that carbon offsets will be the best way to meet the rest of their goal. This project will generate local carbon credits to sell to Austin to help meet their goals. Using funds allocated for carbon offsets to purchase local credits from tree planting keeps investments in the City of Austin’s communities.   

The city’s recently adopted Water Forward plan sets a course to provide for the water demands of one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. Water is a precious resource in central Texas, and rivers and streams with healthy forest buffers are critical to both water quality and quantity — as well as vital contributors to fish, bird, and wildlife habitat and our natural ecosystem. Reforesting public lands will buffer against the possibility of a catastrophic loss of Austin’s urban forest.

New riparian forests will also help to mitigate Austin’s urban heat island. Since heat islands can affect communities by increasing energy demand, air conditioning costs, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and heat-related illness and mortality, this reforestation program offers multiple ecosystem and human benefits.  

Through the efforts of our staff and many volunteers, TreeFolks has made great strides in slowing the tide of deforestation in Austin, TX. Community members, from preschoolers to park rangers, have contributed volunteer hours to improving the city and connecting with others.

Total Credits Issued: 341

• 2019: 54 credits issued
• 2023: 197 credits issued
• 2024: 90 credits issued

Total Credits Sold: 251

• 2019: 54 credits
• 2023: 197 credits

Total Credits Retired: 251

• 2021: 54 credits
• 2023: 197 credits

Total Credits Cancelled: 0

Total Credits Available for Purchase: 90

Trees planted as part of this project will provide ecosystem services, also known as co-benefits, when they reach 25 years old. The co-benefits represent a savings (avoided costs) of $4,287 per year when the trees reach age 25, and $107,171 over the next 25 to 50 years.

• Rain interception (stormwater management): 856 m3/year, $2,238 per year
• Air quality: 0.0739 tons/year, $12 per year
• Energy – cooling (electricity): 23,441 kWh/year, $1,779 per year
• Energy – heating (natural gas): 24,796 kBtu/year, $258 per year