PLAN UPDATES

As the project progresses, we will provide updates and any news on here.
Update 8/16/2023
Project Update Meeting Set for September 13th.  We have taken everything we've learned over the last year and developed draft goals, as well as strategies and action steps to meet those goals.  While the plan is not yet fully developed, we would like to update the community on the direction the plan is headed, providing an opportunity to give feedback before the final draft is produced.  Please join us on September 13th at the Public Works Service Center (3131 Morris Avenue, Knoxville) starting at 5:30-7pm for a presentation the proposed goals and recommendations.  
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Update 7/7/2023
Summary of all input is now available! Throughout the Discovery process, public input was collected from Knoxville residents in multiple ways, including a public survey, community events, open houses, interviews, and multiple gatherings by the project Advisory Group.  Read a summary report (27 page PDF) on what we heard from the Knoxville community, or take a look at the themes we heard in the list below.  Thank you to all who provided feedback!

Six avenues of input collection:
  • Meetings with Community Groups (30 groups, combined 800+ attendees)
  • Two Open Houses (89 people/views)
  • Online Survey (488 submissions)
  • Advisory Group Workshops (98 members, 3 workshops)
  • UT Workshop (30 attendees)
  • One-on-One Interviews (17 interviews)

Themes from Public Input.  The following is a list of themes of comments heard across all six avenues. Read the full report for more detail on what we heard from those that engaged.  
  1. Education & engagement is key. 
  2. There is concern for tree loss from development. 
  3. Higher quality tree canopy is needed (includes dealing with invasives, increasing diversity, planning for  the changing climate, and ensuring trees are well cared for)
  4. Trees need to be recognized as critical city infrastructure.
  5. More trees are needed, across the board.
  6. Preserve and protect existing trees, especially mature trees that provide the most to Knoxville.
  7. More resources are needed.
  8. Better management overall is needed.
  9. Thank you for doing this! Many expressed appreciation for this effort.
  10. More shade and less pavement is critical for pedestrians. 
  11. Success will require partnership and collaboration. 
  12. Focus on equity and environmental justice.
  13. Consider incentives for planting or preservation. 
  14. Use trees for heat reduction in Knoxville
  15. Some city management improvements are needed. 
  16. Explore financial assistance for tree care. Tree care can be expensive, especially for those on fixed or low incomes. 
  17. Trees add beauty and create a unique sense of place in Knoxville, making it more appealing to residents and visitors.
  18. Incorporate food forests in this work. 
  19. Address sentiment by some of trees as nuisance or fear factor.
  20. Address issues of trees and utilities. 
  21. This is an opportunity for workforce development in Knoxville.
  22. Many are interested in helping in the future.
  23. There are limited or low quality planting spaces currently. 
Update 6/28/2023
Survey result summary (PDF) is now available. This also includes comments received in the open houses as well.  Up next - full summary of all input across all avenues to wrap up our "discovery" phase of this project! 
Update 6/6/2023
Community Group Presentations. In order to meet people "where the public already is," the project team made itself available to meet with a variety of community groups from January to May 2023, which generated a variety of discussions and feedback. Invitations came from the following community groups: 
​4th and Gill Neighborhood (Woolly Bears)
Alice Bell Neighborhood Meeting
American Society of Landscape Architects - East TN Chapter
City of Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory Board
Colonial Village Neighborhood Association
County of Knox Greenways Commission
Dogwood Arts Home and Garden Show
East Knoxville Community Open House
East TN Ornithological Society
Forest Heights Neighborhood Association
Green Drinks
Kiwanis Club of Knoxville
Knox County Master Gardeners April meeting
Knoxville Area Association of Realtors (KAAR)
Knoxville- Knox County Food Policy Council
​North Hills Garden Club
Parkridge Neighborhood Meeting
Roots in South Knoxville Earth Day Event
Sequoyah Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Sierra Club-Harvey Broom Group
Smoky Mtn Wild Ones Chapter March meeting
South Knoxville Neighborhoods Meeting
South Knoxville Open House
Three River Market CO-OP
Town Hall East's May Meeting
University of Tennessee - Urban Forestry Class
UT Grounds Management ShortCourse
Water Quality Forum
Waterfest
West Knoxville Open House
Update 5/12/23
In Person House.  A in person open house for the UFMP was held on May 11, 2023 from 4-7 p.m. at the Cansler YMCA.  Thank you to all that attended!
Update 5/4/23
Virtual Open House.  A virtual open house for the UFMP was held on May 4, 2023 from 6-7:30pm on Zoom.  The presentation is available here (PDF format), and a video of the event is available below.  Thank you to all that attended!
Update 4/21/23
Third Advisory Group Workshop.  A group of 70+ members of the UFMP Advisory Group met for the final workshop on Thursday, April 20th.  A copy of the presentation can be found in the link below.  A summary of input received, as well as a recording of all the raw notes collected is coming soon.  
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Update 4/19/23
UFMP Workshop at the University of Tennessee.  The UT workshop was a success, and we are grateful for all that attended to learn about Knoxville's urban forest, and provide on what they would like to see in the future.  
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Update 4/1/23
Community Events Set for April and May 2023.  ​We want to share with you all more on the urban forest and what we've learned so far.  But more importantly, we want to provide another way to hear from you on what YOU would like the future Knoxville urban forest to be.​  Come to one of our community engagement events now set for April and May.  Find out more.
​April 2023 Press Release on UFMP Engagement is now available!​
Update 4/3/23
Second Advisory Group Workshop.  A group of 65 members of the UFMP Advisory Group met on Thursday, March 23rd, for the second of three workshops.  A copy of the presentation, a summary of input received, as well as a recording of all the raw notes collected can be found at the links below.  
Update 2/23/23
First Advisory Group Workshop.  A group of 75 members of the UFMP Advisory Group (see member list here)  met on Thursday, February 23rd, for the first of three workshops.  A copy of the presentation, a summary of input received, as well as a recording of all the raw notes collected can be found at the links below.  
Update 12/15/22
Kick Off Event Success!  The community project kick-off event was a success with almost 100 attendees braving the rainy weather to come and hear about the new project launching. 
Update 11/22/22
Community Kick Off Event Set.  A community project kick-off event will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 from 5:30-7:00pm at the Civic Coliseum on 500 Howard Baker Jr Ave. Free parking available at the Coliseum Parking Garage. Light refreshments served.
View event invite here (PDF).

In the News

April 11, 2023 | WATE6
'Trees Knoxville' asks for public input on Knoxville Urban Forest Master Plan
The road leading up to the master plan started back in the fall of 2020 and will guide Knoxville tree plans for the next 20 years. Read full article. 
April 10, 2023 | Knox News
Why Knoxville is planning to plant more trees, and how you can help
The city of Knoxville is mapping out plans to preserve and increase the number of trees in the area for the next 20 years. Read the full article. 
April 5, 2023 | WVLT8
Trees Knoxville asks for public input
Trees Knoxville asked the public for their opinions on the plan for trees in Knoxville. Read the full article.
December 7, 2022 | ABC6 Wate.com
Knoxville to launch 20-year plan to increase tree coverage
The City of Knoxville and nonprofit Trees Knoxville are inviting Knoxville residents, business owners, developers, community groups, and other stakeholders to help develop a long-term plan for increasing tree cover across the city. Read the full article. 
This project is made possible by a community partnership between the following organizations: