NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) is now accepting applications for funding to help communities expand tree canopy cover and strengthen urban ecosystems across the state.
“Our Urban and Community Forestry Program partners with Tennessee’s communities, helping them enhance the wellbeing of residents by cultivating and sustaining healthy urban and community forests,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “One way we do that is by providing financial assistance to increase access to the many benefits trees provide, including stormwater mitigation, air quality improvement, and heat reduction.”
Through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Community Tree Planting Program, organizations can receive state-funded support to cover costs such as purchasing and shipping of trees, professional planting services, mulch, irrigation tools, tree labels, and signage. Eligible applicants include city and county governments, nonprofit organizations, and public schools. Grant awards range from $500 to $20,000.
Applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. CT on Sept. 30, 2025 at tnforestry.submittable.com/submit.
For proposal assistance, contact Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator Ashley Kite-Rowland at ashley.kite-rowland@tn.gov.
TDF’s Urban and Community Forestry Program promotes the growth and sustainability of healthy forests through outreach, education, and financial support. For more information visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/urban/.
The Division of Forestry protects, conserves, and enhances Tennessee’s forest resources. Focus areas include assisting landowners with a variety of services, providing quality tree seedlings, supporting forest health programs, collecting forest inventory data, assisting forest industries, and fighting wildland fires. Visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.
