Zilker Park Grove Named for Billie Eilish

The 6,000-square-foot native tree woodland filters stormwater runoff to protect the local Edwards Aquifer.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Botany

Native oak trees planted on earthen berms in an Austin meadow, with a shallow grassy channel designed for stormwater filtration. — Volunteers in Austin established a 6,000-square-foot native tree woodland at Zilker Park in 2026 to help filter stormwater runoff protecting the Edwards Aquifer. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In March 2026, volunteers transformed a section of Austin's Zilker Park into the Billie Eilish Grove. The $20,000 project uses 150 native trees and raised soil berms to mitigate pollution entering the Edwards Aquifer.

Why it matters

The grove serves as a vital environmental buffer, capturing and filtering polluted stormwater runoff before it can reach Barton Springs. This initiative helps preserve water quality for the local residents who rely on the Edwards Aquifer.

The project spans 6,000 square feet and features 150 native trees including flowering dogwoods, mountain laurels, Mexican plums, and redbuds. Monitoring shows an 85 percent survival rate for the vegetation planted during the March 2026 installation.

The players

Billie Eilish

The musician is a multi-platinum recording artist who has performed at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2019 and 2021.

Zilker 351

This organization is a nonprofit group dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Austin's 351-acre Zilker Park.

The details

The site utilizes specialized raised soil berms and shallow channels to capture runoff, protecting the nearby Barton Creek. A wildflower meadow was also added to the location in October 2026 to further enhance the ecological filtration system.

Volunteers planted 150 native trees in March 2026.
A wildflower meadow was added to the site in October 2026.
The nonprofit hosts a public Monarch Party on November 1, 2026.

The Big Picture

The Billie Eilish Grove project follows the strategic environmental goals established by the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. This initiative marks a departure from traditional landscaping by integrating botanical filtration systems to manage urban runoff.

The grove protects a water source that supplies approximately 600,000 people, helping ensure cleaner water for the region. Residents can visit the area to see native species like redbuds and dogwoods that are specifically adapted to the local climate.

The takeaway

Supporting native plant growth provides tangible benefits to local water security and urban ecosystem health. Residents interested in conservation can participate in future volunteer opportunities to maintain these protective green spaces.