The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department has released this year’s State of Our Environment Report. The online report provides a snapshot of Austin's air quality, water, trees, public open space, wildlands, and climate change issues.   

In the face of increasing challenges, the report notes some reasons for optimism:  

• Austin’s tree canopy is above 40 percent, getting the City closer to its 50 percent goal. 
• Greenhouse gas emissions continue to decline. 
• The City of Austin added 130 acres of parkland. 
• A Black-capped Vireo nest was documented at the Vireo Preserve and Wild Basin, the first since 1997. 

But the forecast for Austin’s environment is not all sunny. As climate change continues, the Austin area has experienced more frequent extreme weather in recent years, including droughts, wildfires, heat waves, floods, and winter storms. Though greenhouse gas emissions in our area are heading downward, there’s still a lot of work to do to meet our community’s ambitious net-zero emissions by our 2040 target. Last year, Austin also experienced an increase in the number of days that air quality was considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.   

The report also notes inequities in tree canopy coverage as well as vulnerability to climate impacts. Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted, a situation the City of Austin is working to address.   

Read the full State of Our Environment Report in English and Spanish at AustinTexas.gov/Environment.  

About Watershed Protection   
The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department protects lives, property, and the environment of our community by reducing the impact of flooding, erosion, and water pollution. Visit AustinTexas.gov/Watershed to learn more.  
 

###