On October 8, 2022 Green Interchange volunteers planted 50 trees along upper section of Garrison Creek in Murfreesboro - a tributary of Bushman Creek. This work is helping restore the stream and bring improvements for people, land, water, and wildlife.     

Trees help stabilize stream banks and prevent erosion, they help mitigate stormwater damage by helping water infiltrate into the soil, trees shade a stream and keep it cooler which helps fish and aquatic habitat, trees also provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, they also absorb nutrients and pollutants to help clean the water.      

The goal is to restore the upper section of this heavily impacted stream by planting along approx. 1,781 feet of the creek bank with about 300 native trees and 1,000 live stakes (willow or other cuttings that will take root). We’ll also maintain about 100 trees in the lower section of Garrison Creek with mulch, pruning, and replacement as needed.  

Work on Garrison Creek was originally started on the lower section of Garrison Creek in 2012: Because of a lack of stream-like characteristics, Garrison Creek was managed as a ditch for years. The stream is listed on TN's polluted streams list (i.e. 303 d list). Partners include  1 Mississippi/The Mississippi River Network, Tennessee Environmental Council,  Water Walkers, McFadden Community Center, Middle Tennessee Electric, Rutherford County and the Murfreesboro Stormwater and Street Departments.

Over the years, the partnership has targeted issues facing the lower section of the creek through: tree plantings, education and outreach, algae pulls, and clean-ups. Garrison Creek is slowly transitioning to a healthy stream with diverse habitat. The videos below show the impressive progress since 2012. You can also see how much fun this work can be. Kids from McFadden Community Center filled out surveys and some of their answers can be found below. 

We're excited about the opportunity to achieve similar results on the UPPER portion of the stream. If you would like to join us at a future tree planting event, please contact us.     

Did you know that water from Garrison Creek flows into the Mississippi River?  Nearly all the streams and rivers in Tennessee ultimately flow into the Mississippi River - it truly connects us. River Citizens are people who want to clean up and protect our country's greatest River and the surrounding watershed. The program is free to join at 1 Mississippi.

Get trees to plant in your yard or community this fall. These beautiful trees are available with a suggested per tree donation of $9.99-$29.99 per tree - comparing very favorable to similar trees you'd get from a nursery or online.

Reserve trees now, then pickup at our farm in Mt. Juliet from 9am-11am on 8/27 or on 9/10 (Reserve by 9/9). You should plan to plant your trees in the ground this fall - late September or after - because fall is the best time to plant. Get one free Sumac or Locust tree with your order while supplies last.

When you order trees with us you are a triple winner: First you'll get a wonderful potted tree to plant in your yard which has benefits for you and for your community. Second you'll be saving money versus what you'd pay at the nursery. Third your donation will help Green Interchange plant trees near roadways, waterways, and in other public and private spaces! 
   
Can't make the pickup dates or location? Looking for bigger trees or different species? Want to have the option to add planting services? Save the date for Plant a BIGGER Tree in Tennessee in Lebanon on 9/24 or Brentwood on 10/1. Last year we offered Maple, Redbud, Dogwood, Apple and Plum trees that were about 5-6 feet tall - the tree species this year will be announced in early September.

NOTE: Preference is given to those who reserve their trees in advance, but if you prefer you may come from 9-11 on 8/27 or 9/10. You can select from available trees and pay on-site. This is a private farm - not a store - so please come on these dates and times only. The address is 923 Sullivan Bend Road, Mt. Juliet, TN.   

Plant a BIGGER Tree for TN will take place this fall 2022. This is a popular program, and our goal is to distribute hundreds of bigger trees in Middle TN, so participants can plant the trees in their yard and improve our environment and communities. This is a great community service project opportunity for Churches, Scout Troops, Organizations. For Businesses this can be a great way to attract new customers on a Saturday morning. Here's a quick overview of the the program:

• Participants will sign up on our website starting in to receive one or more trees when they make a donation. These Tree Planting participants choose a location, such as YOURS where they will pick their trees from 9am -1pm on April 23.  
• We work with partners like you who are willing to receive and distribute trees to the Tree Planting participants. You will not collect any money. You'll need to be available to receive the trees one or two days before the event. On event day, you'll get the right trees to the right Tree Planting participants using a list we provide.
• To thank your for your participation we will give Pick Up Location Leaders or your organization free trees!
• This recap features some of our 2021 Pick Up Location Leaders for Plant a Tree for Tennessee - just to     

​If you or your organization is willing to be a Pick Up Location Leader, here are requirements, please read carefully before you sign up.  

• You'll promote the event in your local community in advance. Examples: distributing and posting flyers, sharing the event on social media, contacting local news media. (Green Interchange will be helping by providing flyers and press releases you can customize, sending press releases, and running ads on social media.)
• You may need to be available a few days before the event to receive a delivery of trees. The bigger trees are 5-7 feet tall and come in a pot/container (we will send a detailed list of Tree Planting Participants and which trees they requested when we drop off the trees.)
• You’ll store the trees in a cool, dry, shaded location until Saturday  the event (pickup hours will likely be from 9am-12pm). This could be a garage, out-building or other appropriate location not subject to extreme heat and you may need to add water to the bags when you receive them.
• Your pick-up location must be located outdoors in a public area such as an office, retail building, park office, church, community center or other easy-to-find central locations where participants can easily find their trees and everyone feels safe.
• Be set up and ready to distribute seedlings by 8:30am or 30 minutes in advance. We recommend having one leader and at least 2 assistants.
• As needed, you and your team agree to follow CDC guidelines and any state or local ordinances to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
• Each year a few people miss the pickup window due to scheduling changes, family emergencies, and human error. If you are willing to help us connect trees to people after the event, let us know, but it is not required.
• If an extraordinary event beyond our control occurs, including but not limited to fire, flood, hurricane, earthquake, lightning, explosion, strikes, lockouts, slowdowns, shortage of energy supplies, pandemics, war, riots, and acts of governmental action prohibiting or impeding any party from performing its respective obligations for this event, we will do our best to deliver your trees during the agreed-upon day and time but may need to delay tree delivery.  In the unlikely event that we need to change the date, we will announce it ahead of time. 

​Supplies needed day of event:

• Downloadable signs will be emailed to you prior to the event. You will need to print them and hang the signs in a visible area to help participants find you.
• Print out distribution list (provided by us). You will distribute seedlings according to the list provided. We will provide you with the Tree Planting participant's name, email, phone number, and trees ordered.
• You are welcome to set up a tent with tables and chairs but that is not needed. This event will take place rain or shine. In the unanticipated event of extreme weather the event may be postponed until the following week.

Ready to volunteer? Register here. You may also pre-register to distribute tree seedlings (bare root) in April 2023. We don't have all the details yet, but the event usually takes place the week of Earth Day on a Saturday.  

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us at the email below.

You will be required to provide all information related to your pick-up location. The name, contact information and location you provide will be published to the public on our website along with the pickup date and time.

We hope you will join us for this historic effort as we reforest Tennessee and improve the environment one native tree at a time. ​

If you reserved a tree/trees for Plant a Tree for Tennessee. Here's some important information for the event:   

Click here to find the exact pickup location address and info.  

 Pickup is Saturday 4/23 from 9am-1pm except Chattanooga2 Miller Park.