A grand all????(R)???(C)e of live oaks line the checkerboard-patterned concrete walk at the Texas Capitol Building.

Over the last two and one-half years, a seven-member volunteer group from the Austin Urban Forestry (AUF) Board has been working on a comprehensive urban forest plan for the city. Patrick Brewer, formerly chairman of AUF, is heading the committee that is drafting the forest plan.

Angela Hanson, the city's urban forester, explains the plan isn't just about preservation of the urban forest and planting new trees, but about all city greenery and vegetation, plus a strategic direction and framework for adequate funding and staffing for departments to implement such a plan. The plan would include specific goals for city departments, such as planting trees, creating open green spaces for city residents to use and educating them how to assist with the upkeep of the urban forest, and creating habitats for threatened or endangered species.

Such a plan is particularly necessary now, Hanson asserts, because Austin, for three years running, is the fastest growing U.S. city (Forbes' list of America's Fastest-Growing Cities, based on Moody's Analytics of 100 largest metropolitan areas), and because the effects of recent droughts. Under the plan, Hanson would make recommendations on how to achieve the urban forest goals to the departments under the jurisdiction of the Urban Forestry Management program, and provide annual checkups on the progress of city departments in meeting goals. She expects the plan to help better coordinate all the entities that work on maintaining city greenery, whether federal, state, city or private concerns.

The Urban Forestry Board is still gathering input from residents through public meetings.

Richard Craig, chairman of the Pease Park Conservancy, told the local media the plan is a good idea, but believes there needs to be more funding coming from the city council, and to double the forestry staff to adequately handle tree care programs and new tree plantings.

Regardless of the plan proffered, it needs to be approved by Austin Parks and Recreation and the city's environmental board before going to the city council.