The first 1,000 native trees are in the ground along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, marking the start of a long-term effort to replant riverbanks stripped by the 2025 Hill Country floods. The San Antonio Botanical Garden carried out the planting in early November, KSAT and News 4 San Antonio reported.
The trees are the opening phase of a five-year goal to plant 50,000 native trees along the river, according to the garden.
Grown from the river’s own seeds
The project is called TREES, short for Texas Recovery for Ecological and Environmental Stability. According to the San Antonio Botanical Garden, staff and volunteers have hand-collected more than 850,000 native seeds from the river’s own canopy since the effort launched in August 2025, including more than 250,000 gathered right after the flood.
Using local seed is meant to give the young trees the best chance of surviving local conditions. The garden lists target species including bald cypress, sycamore, chinquapin oak, willow and pecan.
Why the riverbanks matter
The floods tore vegetation from parts of the Guadalupe, leaving banks more prone to erosion and reducing wildlife habitat, KSAT reported. Tree roots help hold soil in place, filter runoff before it reaches the water and provide shade and cover for wildlife.
For Kerrville and nearby communities, a healthier riverbank also protects the parks, swimming holes and scenery that residents and visitors depend on.
Funding and partners
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has invested $3 million in the effort through its Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, according to KSAT. The foundation is also matching donations to TREES dollar for dollar, up to $1 million, through April 15, 2027, the botanical garden said.
The garden lists more than 20 partners and local landowners, including Kerrville Parks and Recreation, the Upper Guadalupe River Authority and Texas Master Naturalists.
Katherine Trumble, the garden’s president and CEO, said in a statement reported by News 4 San Antonio that every tree planted will carry a piece of what the community has built together for generations to come.
How to help
- Donate: The garden says a $25 gift plants one tree, and gifts are being matched through April 15, 2027
- Plant: Public planting dates are scheduled from Nov. 12, 2026, through March 20, 2027, according to the garden
- Volunteer: Adults 18 and older can help with seed collection, processing, planting and tree care after completing orientation and a background check
- Landowners: Property owners along the river can offer land for seed collection or planting through the San Antonio Botanical Garden
