Ecological Restoration

The Public Service Department’s ecological restoration work helps improve the health, function, and long-term sustainability of Knoxville’s public spaces through a coordinated focus on invasive species control, native grassland and wildflower restoration, and reforestation. Together, these efforts support healthier ecosystems, expand habitat for pollinators and wildlife, improve the appearance and resilience of parks and green spaces, and help the City advance its urban forest and tree canopy goals. By restoring native vegetation and investing in long-term land stewardship, Knoxville is creating more biodiverse, cost-effective, and community-centered landscapes for current residents and future generations.

1. Invasive Species Control

Invasive plant species are one of the biggest barriers to a healthy, resilient urban forest in Knoxville. These plants, often introduced from other countries across the globe, can crowd out native trees, shrubs, and groundcover and reduce habitat for birds, bees, and other pollinators. This overcrowding can also makes it harder for young trees that do provide all these benefits to survive and thrive. Through our invasive species control efforts, the City of Knoxville is working with community partners to remove harmful invasive plants, restore native vegetation, and build long-term stewardship through education and volunteer engagement. This work is focused on public spaces in neighborhoods where tree canopy is limited and the benefits of healthy green spaces are needed most. By combining in house management, contractor-led treatment, community-based outreach, and site restoration, Knoxville is taking a practical, long-term approach to creating healthier parks, greenways, and community spaces.


Importance of Invasive Species Control:

• Protects and sustains Knoxville’s urban wilderness by reducing the spread of aggressive plants that overtake trails, parks, and natural areas.

• Allows native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers to reestablish and create healthier, more balanced ecosystems.

• Promotes greater species diversity by giving a wider range of native plants and wildlife space to grow and thrive.

• Improves habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that depend on native flowering plants.

• Supports birds, reptiles, and small mammals by restoring the food sources, shelter, and nesting conditions they need.

• Strengthens the long-term health of the urban forest by helping young native trees survive and reach the canopy.

• Reduces the risk of large monocultures that make parks and green spaces less resilient - or adaptable- to pests, disease, and environmental stress.

• Create safer, more usable, and more attractive public spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.

• Makes future restoration work more effective and less costly by addressing invasive plants before they become even more established.

• Helps ensure healthier, more biodiverse green spaces for future generations of Knoxville residents.

Kudzu Management

Kudzu is one of the most aggressive invasive plants in East Tennessee and can grow rapidly during the summer, smothering trees, shrubs, and other native vegetation. Left unmanaged, it can create a monoculture that reduces biodiversity, degrades wildlife habitat, and increases the difficulty and cost of future restoration. Knoxville’s approach to kudzu management focuses on targeted, site-specific control in priority public spaces, followed by repeated monitoring and retreatment over multiple years. Because kudzu can regrow from root crowns and extensive underground reserves, effective management requires more than cutting back the visible vines. Our program uses trained professionals for the most challenging infestations, coordinates with property partners where needed, and follows treatment with restoration planting so native species can return and compete successfully. This sustained approach helps protect ecological health, improves park conditions, and supports long-term recovery of native habitats.

2. Native Grassland and Wildflower Restoration

Parks and managed spaces may have large expanses of turf grass, heavily managed through routine mowing during the growing season. Converting select area to native grass and wildflower plantings is a practical way to create more functional, ecologically valuable public spaces in Knoxville. These areas can provide important habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while increasing plant diversity and improving the overall resilience of the landscape. Compared with traditional turf, native grass and wildflower areas typically require less frequent mowing and fewer long-term maintenance inputs, which can help reduce labor demands and save money over time. In some locations, restoration may also include planting or retaining scattered trees to create woodland savanna conditions that support a wider range of native species and add structure, shade, and visual interest to the landscape.

• The process typically begins by selecting underused or low-value turf areas, preparing the site, and reducing existing turfgrass so native seed or plants can be established successfully.

• Sites are then planted with a mix of native grasses and wildflowers chosen for local conditions, seasonal interest, and habitat value.

• Some locations may also include scattered trees to create woodland savanna conditions, adding shade, structure, and additional ecological benefits.

• During the first few years, these areas often require monitoring, spot treatment of weeds, and occasional maintenance while native plants become established.

• It is important to note that, during this transition period, restoration areas may look less formal, unmaintained, or unruly compared with traditional mowed turf.

• As the planting matures, the site becomes more stable, visually intentional, and easier to maintain with less frequent mowing and maintenance which accounts for long term savings.

3. Reforestation

As outlined in the 2024 Urban Forest Master Plan, reforesting public spaces is an important strategy for improving community health, strengthening neighborhood resilience, and helping Knoxville reach its long-term tree canopy goals. Trees and tree canopy function as essential city infrastructure by reducing urban heat, improving air quality, slowing and absorbing stormwater runoff, and making parks, streets, and public spaces more comfortable and inviting. Reforestation in public spaces also helps expand tree canopy in areas where tree cover is limited, creating more equitable access to the many environmental, social, and public health benefits that trees provide. By establishing new trees in priority public spaces, Knoxville can help reverse canopy loss, support its goal of increasing citywide tree canopy, and move closer to the Urban Forest Master Plan target of reaching 40 percent canopy cover by 2040.

• The process begins by identifying suitable turf areas, preparing the site, and planting native tree seedlings or young trees in locations where long-term canopy can be successfully established.

• After planting, sites require regular monitoring to assess seedling survival, identify maintenance needs, and ensure the young trees are established as intended.

• During the establishment period, it is important to manage invasive plants and competing vegetation, so seedlings are not overtaken before they are well rooted and able to grow.

• In the first few years, newly planted trees may be difficult to notice as grass, wildflowers, and other forbs can appear more prominent than the small seedlings.

• Over time, with continued care and protection, the planted trees become more evident, rise above surrounding vegetation, and begin contributing to long-term canopy growth.