This week on bigcitysmalltown, host Cory Ames sits down with Jaci Randel, executive director of the Bexar Branches Alliance, to examine the ongoing decline of San Antonio’s urban tree canopy and the push to restore regional “tree equity.” Since 2000, Bexar County has lost 20% of its tree cover, while the state of Texas has lost nearly 25%. Achieving equitable canopy coverage across neighborhoods would require planting more than 1.5 million trees in San Antonio alone.

In this episode, they discuss the challenges facing urban forestry, the impacts of canopy loss on public health, local climate, and neighborhood resilience, as well as the collaborative, data-driven approaches necessary to address these issues. Jaci Randel shares insights from Bexar Branches Alliance’s work, including tree plantings in schools, citizen forester training, and regional partnerships, as well as the practical barriers to large-scale restoration—from nursery supply chains to long-term maintenance funding.

Topics covered include:

• The main drivers of San Antonio’s tree canopy loss
• The connection between canopy decline, rising temperatures, and pollution
• Strategies for planting and preserving trees at the household, school, and city levels
• Barriers facing urban forestry efforts and what local organizations are doing to overcome them
• How residents can get involved—from volunteering to choosing climate-resilient native species for their own yards

This episode is essential listening for anyone concerned with the future of San Antonio’s environment, its neighborhoods, and the role trees play as vital infrastructure in the city.

RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:

▶️ #127. What If We Replaced Every Lawn in San Antonio? – Explore how transforming our yards could reshape the city’s health and environment. Guest host Cory Ames interviews Monika Maeckle about native plants, water-wise landscapes, and practical tips for building a more sustainable, biodiverse San Antonio—one lawn at a time.

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