This is not the first time The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee has installed signs like this in the state. Here, two volunteers with the conservancy put up a similar sign in Long Hunter State Park.Tree canopy explained
Canopy cover is a statistic of how much space in an area is filled with trees when viewed from the air. According to Mariah Prescott, vice chair of the Chattanooga Tree Commission, Chattanooga boasts a 51 percent canopy cover, a staggeringly high amount. Atlanta, in comparison, is renowned for having excellent canopy cover and urban forestry. According to findings from Georgia Tech, Atlanta has a 47.9 percent canopy cover rate.Prescott said the tree commission and The Tennessee Nature Conservancy are extremely proud of Chattanooga’s dedication to environmental conservation, and are looking forward to fostering more growth in the future.
How trees help
Trees do much more than just look pretty. For both privately owned and city property, trees provide a significant financial benefit to the community. Having a high tree density, for example, can save a city on stormwater infrastructure, filter pollutants out of the air to improve air quality and lower the average temperature of its urban centers. For private homeowners, trees can lower annual energy bills by reducing dependency on air conditioning in the summer and can also increase property value.
The natural splendor of Southeast Tennessee is apparent to anyone who happens to drive through. However, The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee and the Chattanooga Tree Commission want people to understand the importance of our urban forests.
With Earth Day swiftly approaching on April 22, they’ve teamed up for the launch of the “If Trees Could Sing” project by hosting a free concert that evening in Coolidge Park.
“We really want to bring community awareness to our urban forest and the environmentally sustainable programs here in Chattanooga,” said Mariah Prescott, vice chair of the Chattanooga Tree Commission. “Chattanooga’s urban forest has 51 percent canopy cover, which is quite high for the Southeast.”
The event will feature live performances from local acts The Bohannons, Danimal Pinson and The Laura Walker Trio. Booths and exhibits from land trusts and local environmental organizations will be set up for attendees to learn about the state of conservancy in Chattanooga, and to donate if they wish.
“If Trees Could Sing” is a joint project that will hopefully increase recognition about the importance of trees here in the city, Prescott said. The project features signs with QR codes set up next to trees throughout Coolidge Park, Aquarium Plaza and Greenway Farms. Once scanned with a smartphone, the QR codes link to a video of musicians – from Reba McEntire and Ben Folds to the three local bands performing at the Earth Day event – talking about the tree and its benefits to the environment.
“I think the Chattanooga community really cares about conserving our land and its public space,” said Prescott. “We’re hoping this project will connect them even more to our conservation efforts.”
The event is planned to be family-friendly, with activities planned for children in attendance and local food trucks selling their wares. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs to enjoy the musical performances.