The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Chattanooga a grant of $6 million to develop and maintain urban forests, green space and waterways in underserved communities, according to a news release.
The funding will be used to keep up city trees, parks and greenery for five years without required additional financial support from the city, the release said.
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The release said a partnership between the city, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technology Lab, Green Spaces and Southeast Conservation Corps will fund new positions and coordinate the community effort to improve the urban environment.
“Our city staff work tirelessly to preserve the beauty that Chattanooga is known for, which we know is one of the top reasons people choose to visit the city and make it their new home,” Chattanooga City Forester Pete Stewart said in the release. “This funding will allow us to continue and expand that work in a way that will make a real impact in neighborhoods that need it the most.”