I'd Rather Be Hiking

09/17/2026

Mission: "The Woods Project creates wilderness exploration experiences that promote academic success, college and career readiness, and lifelong thriving for Houston high school students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to these opportunities." 👏👏👏

09/17/2026

Look how closely the butterfly mimics the tree leaves. 😯

Cloudless Sulphur Butterflies (Phoebis sennae) begin a mass migration to central Florida and the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts in late summer to early autumn. This time of year, it’s common to see them flying south around 5-10 feet off the ground. They’ll often fly 10-12 miles per day!

09/15/2026

✨ Venus is about to put on a show!

On September 18, Venus reaches peak brilliance for its current evening appearance, making it the brightest “star-like” object you’ll see after sunset.

🌟 Look low in the western sky shortly after sunset. Venus should be impossible to miss, shining far brighter than the surrounding stars. A clear, unobstructed view of the western horizon will give you the best chance to catch it before it sets.

It’s one of those simple September sky sights that’s worth stepping outside for.

Will you be watching?

09/15/2026

Wowsie!

Situated along the banks of Waller Creek, one of the largest measured Durand Oaks in Texas overlooks Waterloo Greenway at Palm Park and along the trail of the newly opened Phase II: The Confluence. This tree is a true living landmark, measuring an astonishing 68 inches in diameter, with sprawling limbs that have weathered an estimated 200+ years.

Having witnessed centuries of Austin's history unfold along the creek, this oak must hold a million stories in its leaves, branches, bark, trunk, and roots. It was named the 2014 State Champion for its species and has been admired by many generations of visitors. A storyteller in its own right, its burly trunk and time-worn form are a testament to resilience and endurance. Visitors can stand beneath its canopy, embrace its shade, and feel inspired by this unique and wonderful character in our midst!

Nominated by Emily Erickson in the Large Tree Category for the Austin Tree of the Year Awards 🌳

Public voting is open until October 19th! Choose your favorite trees for the 2026 awards: treefolks.org/toty

Thanks to the City of Austin Government, H-E-B, and the Still Water Foundation for their support of the Austin Tree of the Year Awards!

09/14/2026