Bexar Branches Alliance

Bexar Branches Alliance (BBA) was founded with a simple but powerful mission: to preserve and expand the tree canopy throughout the San Antonio region. What began as a small team of passionate tree advocates has grown into a regional leader for urban forestry, recognized for innovation, collaboration, and community impact.

One of our proudest accomplishments is Project CANOPY, which provides trees, care, and education at local schools. This program was recently featured by Green Schoolyards America for its impact in transforming campuses into cooler, greener, and healthier spaces for children to learn and play. Through Project CANOPY, we not only plant trees—we also teach students, families, and educators the value of caring for them, creating lasting connections to nature and building the next generation of environmental stewards.

BBA is also cultivating the next generation of tree stewards through our Tree Buds Citizen Forester program. Running annually from October through May, Tree Buds trains volunteers in proper young tree care, pruning, and urban forestry best practices. During the most recent season, volunteers cared for 195 trees in City of San Antonio parks and along the San Pedro Creek corridor.  Supported by a minimum of four Certified Arborists at every event, participants gained hands-on experience while providing more than $94,000 in tree care value based on local tree care industry rates. This program not only improves tree survival and health but also builds a stronger culture of stewardship throughout our region.

Our work extends beyond planting. Through Rooted Resilience, BBA is investing in the preservation of our existing urban forest by providing tree care services to communities that have historically lacked access to these resources. During the coming year, we will expand Rooted Resilience into ZIP code 78211, one of the areas in Bexar County with one of the lowest Tree Equity Scores. By preserving mature trees in this high-need community, we can help maintain critical shade, improve air quality, reduce heat exposure, and protect the environmental benefits that established trees provide.

Our efforts also extend beyond San Antonio city limits. We are honored to support the City of Leon Valley and the City of Castroville in expanding their urban tree canopies, demonstrating what is possible when municipalities and nonprofits work together toward shared environmental goals. These partnerships are helping build stronger, greener communities across the region.

BBA also serves as the San Antonio Region's delegate to the Texas Forest Service Urban Forestry Congress, ensuring that our community has a voice in shaping statewide strategies for urban forestry, tree equity, and climate resilience.

Looking ahead, our biggest goal for the 2026–2027 school year is to expand Project CANOPY to 10 additional high-risk schools while growing Rooted Resilience to serve more residents in vulnerable neighborhoods. Together, these programs will bring shade, cleaner air, reduced urban heat, and hands-on environmental education to the children and communities that need it most.

As we celebrate five years of service to the San Antonio region, we remain committed to ensuring that every community has access to the benefits trees provide. With your support during The Big Give, we can continue to plant new trees, preserve mature canopy, educate future generations, and create healthier, more resilient communities across South Central Texas—one tree at a time.