Inflation reduction act urban and community forestry expansion

The Tennessee Environmental Council, Inc. (TN Environmental Council) was awarded a 5-year, $1,004,803.58 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service's Inflation Reduction Act Urban & Community Forestry Program (CFDA 10.727). The grant funds will support TN Environmental Council's efforts to plan, establish, manage, and protect trees, forests, green spaces, and related natural resources in urban and community settings across Tennessee. Key activities include tree planting, ecosystem restoration, conservation planning, workforce development, and educational outreach to increase tree canopy cover, especially in underserved communities. Additionally, TN Environmental Council has received several other recent federal grants, including a $500,000 award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their recycling program and $235,000 from the EPA for community household waste events. The organization's diverse environmental services and strong track record of federal grant implementation demonstrate its commitment to advancing environmental justice and sustainability in Tennessee.