Murfreesboro, TN - The Heart of Tennessee is awarded a GREEN GRANT from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry. In fact, Murfreesboro is one of a dozen Tennessee communities that will have the opportunity to invest in its green spaces, thanks to grant funding provided by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant Program.

State Forester Heather Slayton said, “Trees play a key role in our lives, providing environmental, health, and economic benefits that are vital for all communities,”  said. “This funding is important because it helps ensure those benefits are available to all areas of Tennessee.”

Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator Ashley Kite-Rowland noted, “Our program is committed to partnering with these awardees as they implement their projects. We are excited to see them engage their communities as they work to increase the availability of and access to healthy green spaces.”

TDF’s Urban and Community Forestry Program works to ensure all Tennesseans experience the benefits of urban and community forests. It does this by enabling and supporting the growth, management, and sustainability of healthy forests in all Tennessee communities through outreach, education, public engagement, technical assistance, workforce development, and financial support.

In addition to the City of Murfreesboro receiving a "GREEN GRANT", other recipients included the Chattanooga Breakfast Rotary Club, cities of Clinton, Crossville, Knoxville, Memphis, Rocky Top; along with the General Federation of Women's Clubs (Cookeville Food District), Nashville Tree Conservation Corps, Shelby County Government, The Works, Inc. (Shelvy County), and UT Extension (Sumner County). 

Awarded projects include tree care education and training, tree planting, and creation of a food forest. TDF will provide accountability, technical support, and advice throughout the projects’ execution.

Learn more about TDF’s Urban and Community Forestry Program online at www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/urban.