Texas Recovery for Ecological and Environmental Stability (TREES)
Reforesting the Guadalupe River With 50,000 Native Trees
The TREES Initiative (Texas Recovery for Ecological and Environmental Stability) is a five-year project led by the San Antonio Botanical Garden to restore 50,000 native trees along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County after the 2025 flood. Each tree begins as a hand-collected local seed from the river’s own canopy, ensuring it’s naturally adapted to its home. Since launching in August 2025, the team has gathered over 250,000 native seeds—enough to grow the 50,000 healthy, site-ready trees needed. Many are already germinating at the Garden and partner nurseries, growing to renew the watershed’s long-term health.
From hand-collecting native seeds to nurturing young seedlings, restoring the river’s canopy is a community effort. A gift of $25 plants one tree along the Guadalupe, helping rebuild a resilient, thriving landscape for generations to come.
TREES Initiative volunteer opportunities align with the seasonal needs of the 3-year project, from seed collecting and processing to planting and after-care. Each volunteer opportunity will include training to set up volunteers for success! Ideal volunteers for TREES would enjoy hands-on detail-oriented tasks, feel comfortable working outdoors or indoors, care about conservation, native plants, and habitat restoration, and are excited to join a long-term ecological project.
Volunteer opportunities occur year-round, with peak activity during fall 2025–2027 seed collection seasons, ongoing processing sessions at the Garden, and seasonal community planting events. All shifts will be listed in Better Impact under TREES Initiative. Number of hours will vary seasonally.
- Seed Collection (Off-site) Seed is collected by hand with care to not damage trees.
- Seed Processing and Cleaning (At SABG) Sort, clean, and prepare seed for SABG and partner nurseries to grow.
- Community Planting Events (Off-site)
Support planting efforts at high-priority restoration sites along the Guadalupe River. - Aftercare Plant Maintenance/TREES Initiative Census (Off-site)
Measure, count, and check up on our trees to see how they’re doing.
- Volunteers must be 18 or older.
- Typically, a minimum of 24 volunteer hours is required per year.
- All volunteers must complete the online orientation and any program-specific training.
- There is a one-time 30-dollar background check fee. If the fee is cost-prohibitive, please let us know and we are happy to cover the cost. To ensure a secure and thorough screening process, all prospective applicants are required to pay the non-refundable background check fee upfront. After submitting the fee at the provided link, email cblumenberg@sabot.org to receive the link to proceed with the background check and full application. Please note that the background check fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and trustworthy community.
In return for their time, volunteers gain experience in areas including horticulture, education, development, and guest experience.
In addition, the Garden provides:
- A welcoming place to volunteer
- Complimentary admission during regular operating hours with your volunteer badge · 20% discount at the Garden Gift Shop with badge
- An annual volunteer recognition
- Complimentary admission to select Garden classes
- Dual level membership for volunteers with 50+ hours a year
Ready to Help Restore Texas Trees?
If you are passionate about conservation and want to make a lasting ecological impact, join the TREES Initiative volunteer team.
If you are a current SABG volunteer, there is no need to reapply. Look out for opportunities on Better Impact.
For group volunteer opportunities, contact CBlumenberg@sabot.org.
The TREES Initiative relies on access to private and public lands to locate native seed sources and evaluate future planting sites across the Guadalupe River watershed. By opening your land to our conservation team, you directly help secure locally adapted genetics and restore the region’s native canopy.
Our approach is flexible and entirely landowner-driven. Trained Garden staff hand-collect seeds from naturally occurring bald cypress, sycamore, chinquapin oak, willow, and pecan to ensure future plantings reflect the river’s ecological integrity. Each property is assessed for:
- Species compatibility — soils, hydrology, shade, and site history
- Access and logistics — safe, reasonable entry for crews
- Aftercare potential — capacity for watering or short-term stewardship
- Monitoring feasibility — ability to track establishment and recovery
Contact our team at trees@sabot.org to schedule a site visit and take part in rebuilding a resilient Guadalupe River forest.
About the San Antonio Botanical Garden
TREES is a community-driven restoration effort led by the San Antonio Botanical Garden (SABG), a non-profit organization with a longstanding commitment to statewide plant conservation. Guided by the mission of enriching lives through plants and nature, SABG works to protect native species, restore habitats, and support the health of Texas ecosystems.
Led by President & CEO Katherine Trumble, SABG has deep experience in native seed collection, propagation, and collaborative conservation. The TREES Initiative is directed by Chief Mission Officer Andrew Labay and VP of Conservation Michael Eason, with leadership support from VP of Learning & Interpretation Katie Erickson.
TREES was created in response to the needs of our neighbors in Kerr County after the 2025 flood. By restoring the native tree canopy along the Guadalupe River, we aim to strengthen the watershed, support wildlife, and help communities heal and thrive.
For questions or collaboration, email trees@sabot.org.
TREES Partners
With the support of more than 20 partners and local landowners, TREES is working to rebuild a stronger, more resilient river system for communities, wildlife, and generations to come.
Blanton’s Nursery • Bluejay Tree Farm • Casey Williams • City of Austin • Habitat Select Nursery • Kerr Country Water Alliance • Manchaca Bees and Trees • Mosty Brothers Nursery • Patrick Kirwin • Rennerwood Tree Farm
Donors Make TREES Possible
TREES is a five-year project with an estimated budget of $5 million. The success of this initiative relies on philanthropic support. Donors have made it possible to kick start TREES at this critical time, allowing the project team to collect over 250,000 native seeds immediately following the Kerr County flood. With continued support, at least 50,000 native trees will be planted along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County bringing ecological and environmental stability to the Texas Hill Country.
William & Louree Greehey • Greehey Family Foundation • Ewing Halsell Foundation • Lou Celia & Don Frost • Less Trust • Whataburger • Karen & Jim Greenwood • Pamela Harte • John & Claire Alexander • Bill Orr & Jana Orsinger • Courtney Walker • Jonathan Letz • Julie & Warren Wilkinson • and many more
KSAT: Trees to be restored along Guadalupe River after catastrophic Hill Country floods
Texas Monthly: Inside an Ambitious Plan to Replant 50,000 Trees Along the Flood-Ravaged Guadalupe
Community Impact: San Antonio Botanical Garden launches initiative to rehabilitate hill country ecosystem