New funding seeks to protect tree canopy

Mayor Cooper on Wednesday announced legislation that would create a dedicated fund to preserve trees.

Why it matters: Cooper's bill seeks to protect a robust tree canopy amid a parade of construction reshaping the city.

• The legislation would pull 1% of revenue from development-related items such as building permits to support tree maintenance and restoration.
• The fund would have an annual cap of $2.5 million and would be reviewed by June 2023 to determine if it should continue.

Driving the news: Cooper's announcement cited a report saying Nashville lost nearly 1,000 acres of tree canopy from 2008 to 2016, largely due to development.