Question: Many more trees are being planted around the main campus and are positive additions to the landscape. Is there a source of funding and/or a plan that’s making it possible to increase the number of trees on the main campus?
Answer: With the help of Lesa Finch, grant specialist in the Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development, university grounds applied for and was awarded the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program Community Tree Planting Grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The grant matches funding to purchase trees and marks the third time that the university has received a similar grant.
This time, the university paid $10,000 and the grant paid $10,000 toward the purchase of 145 trees, which university grounds has now planted around campus. This will also allow UT Martin to move toward Level 2 and then Level 3 Arboretum status. University grounds also grew some trees, which means that close to 165 trees have been planted this spring. University grounds works with Dr. Eric Pelren, professor of wildlife biology and coordinator of the UT Martin Center for Sustainability, to assure that native trees are planted to increase the university’s count. UT Martin is currently Level 1 status (30 species) and is applying for Level 2 (60 species) and then moving toward Level 3 (90 species).
