On January 28 from 9am-1pm volunteers will plant trees at Donelson Christian Academy (DCA) in Nashville to improve our waterways. And on Feb 8 from 12pm-4pm Green Interchange volunteers will plant trees at the intersection of I-840 and Central Pike in Lebanon to improve our roadways. Planting trees near roadways and waterways is an important part of our mission and offers important benefits for healthier communities, economies, and quality of life. Learn more here. Click the links below to register for either or both events. Volunteering is always free. If you choose to donate you are supporting important work planting trees across Tennessee. The events will take place rain or shine. Please register in advance so we can send any updates or contact you as needed. The DCA program in Nashville is made possible by support from: Cumberland River Compact | Root Nashville The I-840 program in Lebanon is made possible by support from: The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee | Bridgestone Americas | TN Department of Agriculture Forestry As the new year begins, we can't help but be thankful for all of YOUR support! You have helped Green Interchange to accomplish much for our economy, communities, and quality of life. Here's how you helped us in 2022:
There are many more great things we can accomplish together! Plans for 2023 include:
Thanks for all the ways you have supported this work. You made a difference this year, and your end-of year investment of $50, $100, $250 or more will go a long way to making 2023 a success. Can we count on your support?
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. We're offering five of our most popular trees for the fall planting season. These are bigger trees, 5-7 foot tall, or about 3/4 to 1 inch caliper, and the trees will be potted in a #5 container. Choose from Autumn Blaze Maple, Eastern Redbud, White Dogwood, Santa Rosa Plum, or Shumard Oak. Trees are available with a $44.99 per tree donation and available for pickup on 9/24 in Lebanon or 10/1 in Brentwood from 9am-12pm. We also offer tree planting services. Here's how it works:
1. Reserve your trees by clicking the link below. 2. Choose your pickup location and date 3. Pickup on the date/time selected unless you want us to plant for you* 9/24 Lebanon First United Methodist Church 415 W Main St, Lebanon, TN 37087 Reserve by 9/18. Pickup from 9am-12pm 10/1 Brentwood United Methodist Church 309 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027 Reserve by 9/25. Pickup from 9am-12pm 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. Join Congressman Mark Green and the Green Interchange Board of Directors and Staff for a one-of-a-kind wine tasting event. The event will take place at Nashville Wine Storage, Nashville's first licensed wine storage facility, which offers wine storage and a unique space for this tasting event. Indulge your taste buds with a selection of Italian wines from Green Interchange Board member, Peter Marcum, and enjoy the accompanying light hors d'oeuvres. Learn about Green Interchange and our work planting trees and establishing and sustaining natural systems for healthier communities, economies, and quality of life. Find out how we have helped roadways, waterways and other public and private spaces in Tennessee.
If you would like to donate send a check, you may send that to: Green Interchange, 923 Sullivan Bend Rd., Mt. Juliet, TN, 37221. 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:
If you or your organization is willing to be a Pick Up Location Leader, here are requirements, please read carefully before you sign up.
Supplies needed day of event:
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. In Tennessee, we associate the Mississippi River with Memphis and the Western part of the state. Did you know nearly ALL of Tennessee is part of the Mississippi River watershed? That includes Garrison Creek in Murfreesboro.
Planting trees offers tree-mendous benefits for our water. Even when trees are planted in your backyard they help improve water for the community. Here are some of the benefits trees offer:
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.
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