Austin's Tiny Forest Initiative Aims to Combat Urban Heat
Austin's Tiny Forest Initiative Aims to Combat Urban Heat
US · Published Jan 23, 2026
St. Edward's University in Austin is planting 'Tiny Forests' to combat urban heat by rapidly increasing tree canopy.
The initiative is part of the Climate Resiliency Living Lab (CLI-RES), involving students in research and data collection.
Community engagement is emphasized through grants from the Austin Community Foundation and H-E-B, fostering environmental education.
Innovative approach to combat urban heat
St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, is taking a proactive approach to combat urban heat and mitigate the impacts of climate change through its innovative Tiny Forest initiative. Spearheaded by arborist Roy Johnson, this project focuses on planting densely packed clusters of trees in urban areas with low tree density, aiming to rapidly increase canopy coverage and provide much-needed shade.
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