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Pflugerville Teen Helps Make City Greener

Updated: Wednesday, October 31 2012, 06:05 AM CDT

One tree at a time, Pflugerville is working to become a greener city.

Officials with the city started the neighborhood program in 2009 where homeowners received free trees. Due to staffing changes and funding the program ended in 2011.

Now one young teen is taking matters into her own hands to help the environment.

Sara Young, the head of Discover Green, provided the trees through three partners - Apache $2500, Discover Green $1000 and Hill County Natives. No city or Pflugerville taxpayer dollars were used.

The intent is to control the heat island effect which can increase energy demand in the summer, air pollution and water quality.

Young went with volunteers through Pflugerville neighborhoods to identify which homes needed trees and where they should go.

More than 300 trees were delivered to the Gatlinburg area, Brookhollow, Arbor Creek and Old Town areas.

Young says she researched what type of trees should be planted. Burr oak, Mexican White Oak, Elm, Texas Redbud, Desert Willow, Mexican Buckeye, and Mexican Plum are all native to the area. She says native trees are the best choice.

By Christie PostPflugerville Teen Helps Make City Greener