UTCSW Assistant Professor Jennifer First is participating on the team that received two federal grants totaling $4.3 million, which will give tree lovers hoping to expand Knoxville’s canopy – especially in neighborhoods needing it the most – something to celebrate.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, was awarded $2.6 million to increase tree canopy coverage, reduce stormwater runoff, mitigate extreme heat, and bring ecosystem services to underserved communities in East Knoxville.

The federal government awarded another $1.7 million to Trees Knoxville, a nonprofit partner, to plant and maintain 7,500 trees along streets, in parks, at schools, in public housing communities, in historic African American cemeteries and elsewhere.

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Jon Hathaway will lead the university’s team, which also includes Assistant Professor of Social Work Jennifer First and Professor of Urban Forestry Sharon Jean-Philippe.

Click here to read more about this project:
https://news.utk.edu/2023/11/01/ut-city-of-knoxville-receive-4-3-million-to-plant-trees-in-urban-areas/