Chattanooga celebrates the arrival of 700 new trees thanks to a $6 million USDA grant focused on growing and maintaining urban forests in underserved neighborhoods. This funding will enhance parks, greenery, and waterways with no additional cost to the city. Partnering with UTC’s IGT Lab, green|spaces, and the Southeast Conservation Corps, the city will consult several years of accumulated data mapping the current forest canopy in the Chattanooga metro area, showing where canopy improvement is most needed. "Once we lose our urban canopy, it’s almost impossible to get it back. So it’s all about tracking that balance" with an expanded urban forestry team, volunteers, and a green workforce we aim to do just that.
These efforts aim to transform high-priority neighborhoods, identified using tree canopy data and federal climate tools.
Through this data parks and public spaces are selected for tree installations.
Park staff will be on site to provide best practices and instructions on tree planting.
Tools and gloves will be available for volunteers.
In an effort to improve and increase volunteer retention we are offering certifications:
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