Understory Aims to Revamp Chattanooga with Tree Planting
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Chattanooga’s sustainability nonprofit, green|spaces, has unveiled a program called Understory, aiming to boost the health and sustainability of historically underserved communities by planting trees. The initiative was inspired by the understory layer in a forest, the area known for biodiversity, tree regeneration, and the intersection of humans and nature. Understory, which is committed to reversing Chattanooga’s dwindling urban tree canopy, is set to offer benefits like shade, lower temperatures, and an enhanced outdoor environment, and will focus on environmental equity, ensuring all community members can enjoy the benefits of increased tree canopy.
Understory: A New Green Initiative By Chattanooga’s Nonprofit, green|spaces
Green|spaces, a sustainability nonprofit in Chattanooga, has launched Understory, a program targeting the enhancement of community health and sustainability by planting trees in historically underserved areas.
Understory, inspired by the forest’s understory layer—a haven for biodiversity and regeneration—strives to nurture communities and create local opportunities in locations deprived of nature in Chattanooga.
“We’re in a critical phase of city evolution, and trees play a vital role in our urban spaces. In 2017, Chattanooga was the 6th fastest-warming city in the U.S. According to recent tree canopy mapping by UTC’s IGT Lab, we lost 3% of our tree cover from 2021,” shared Michael Strok, Understory’s Director of Planning & Management.
“Understory aims to reshape tree culture in Chattanooga, addressing past harmful practices and aligning with the city’s growth. Our focus is on activating communities, fostering workforce development, planting trees, and maintaining them for long-term success,” Strok further elaborated.
Understory will use the advantages of tree canopy to foster healthier, more sustainable communities, and it will emphasize environmental equity, ensuring all community members can enjoy the benefits of increased tree coverage.
Understory’s origin dates back to spring 2023 when Chattanooga stakeholders proposed a multi-modal tree planting initiative. This collaborative initiative followed the USDA Forest Service’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding availability. Understory successfully secured resources for tree planting, workforce development, and community engagement.
“We’re excited to partner with green|spaces on this initiative that enhances our urban tree canopy, builds a green workforce, and engages the community. We anticipate a strong positive impact over the next few years,” Anna Mathis, City of Chattanooga Natural Resource Manager, said.
Understory aims to reshape Chattanooga’s landscape, encourage environmental stewardship, and foster a resilient community. For more information about Understory’s volunteer needs and planting schedule, visit greenspaceschattanooga.org/understory or follow @understory.chattanooga on social media.
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