Plant a Tree for Tennessee 2026 - Launches March 9th!
Plant a Tree for Tennessee is a grassroots, community-powered effort with one simple goal: to make it easy and affordable for people across Tennessee to plant native trees in their own yards and neighborhoods. By putting native seedlings directly into the hands of residents, we’re strengthening local ecosystems, supporting pollinators and wildlife, and expanding green space where it’s needed most.
This year’s Plant a Tree for Tennessee tree distribution will take place April 18th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST, and we are currently finalizing distribution sites and recruiting volunteers to help make the day a success.
If you live near one of the distribution sites listed below and would like to receive free trees, we encourage you to sign up to volunteer. It’s a simple way to support your community while helping us meet our statewide goal of distributing 10,000 native trees. This spring, we’ll be offering a diverse mix of native fruiting and flowering tree species (listed below), carefully selected to benefit pollinators, wildlife habitat, and local waterways.
Seedlings will be available for just $2.99 each, making it affordable for families and neighborhoods to participate. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for updates, volunteer sign-up details, and store launch information. Let’s grow Tennessee together — one tree at a time. 🌳
We're still looking for volunteers, sign up below and lend a hand!
Volunteer with us in Napier and help cool, green, and nourish the neighborhood. Together, we’re transforming underused spaces into raised garden beds filled with fresh, edible plants and planting native fruiting and shade trees that reduce heat and bring lasting beauty to the streets.
Napier faces limited access to fresh food and significantly hotter temperatures than surrounding areas. By building gardens and expanding tree canopy, we’re creating real, community-led solutions that increase food access, lower street temperatures, and strengthen neighborhood pride. We’re calling on volunteers to plant, water, and care for these spaces throughout the warm months. Whether you’re building raised beds, planting trees, or helping maintain the gardens, your hands-on support directly contributes to a healthier, greener Napier. This is more than a planting project — it’s about gathering neighbors, sharing skills, and growing something lasting together.
Join us for Napier: Grow & Gather and be part of turning Napier into a thriving green and food oasis.
Be a Distribution Site for Plant a Bigger Tree for Tennessee
🌳 Let’s Plant a Bigger Tree for Tennessee! 🌳
This fall, Green Interchange is on a mission to get more native trees and shrubs growing across Middle Tennessee—making our neighborhoods greener, cleaner, and healthier. We’re looking for distribution site partners (churches, businesses, and community spots) to help hand out trees, and fun-loving volunteers to join us at events. We’ll bring the trees—you bring the people and the good vibes!
2,400 Trees Planted Along the Nolichucky River — Thanks to You! 🌳💧More than 81 incredible volunteers came together with Green Interchange to restore the banks of the Nolichucky River in East Tennessee. Together, we planted around 2,400 trees — helping to heal land and water damaged by Hurricane Helene.
This project was more than just a tree planting — it was a community effort to rebuild what was lost and strengthen the resilience of one of Tennessee’s most cherished waterways. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who made this possible — from volunteers and community partners to local organizations who helped spread the word and get hands in the dirt. 🌱
📸 Share Your Photos! If you joined us on the river, we’d love to see the day through your eyes! Upload your photos to our Facebook event or explore the gallery to relive the highlights: 👉 Facebook Event Link
💌 Stay Involved! Want to get your hands dirty again? Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about future volunteer events, tree giveaways, and ongoing restoration work across Tennessee. 👉 Newsletter Signup Link
💚 The work doesn’t stop here. We plan to continue restoring the Nolichucky and other East Tennessee waterways impacted by Hurricane Helene — and your support makes it possible. If you’d like to contribute to our next phase of restoration, please consider donating through our Chuffed campaign: 👉 Chuffed Donation Link
Together, we’re not just planting trees — we’re planting hope, resilience, and a healthier future for our rivers and communities.
Big Thanks to our Sponsors!
Plant a Bigger Tree for Tennessee
Plant a Bigger Tree for Tennessee kicks off this August! We're offering native trees and shrubs to help green and cool communities across Middle Tennessee — and we need your help. Volunteer opportunities are coming soon, and we're actively looking for distribution sites to host tree pick-ups. Subscribe to stay updated and sign up today to make a lasting impact!
The Napier Green Streets Project is turning Cannon Street into a safer, greener, and more connected space—with community-powered transformation on the way. From planting almost 100 native trees, to community art and safer sidewalks, this is a project built with the neighborhood, for the neighborhood.
Led by a team of Green Interchange, NDOT, Walk Bike Nashville, and the Civic Design Center, we’re tackling urban heat, water runoff, and pedestrian safety—all while making space for creativity and connection. Stay tuned and get involved—this is your street, reimagined.
Join Us in Restoring Spring Creek! We’re excited to launch the Spring Creek and Black Branch Restoration Project in Wilson County, TN—an important effort to restore water quality in Spring Creek and Black Branch to remove it the state's polluted streams list. Led by Green Interchange, this project uses eco-friendly, hands-on techniques like native plant restoration to fight erosion and our sources of drinking water and recreational water.
As a volunteer, you’ll be part of a team using real tools and real muscle to protect local wildlife, preserve tree roots, and restore natural beauty to a creek damaged by development. Expect lots of fresh air, learning opportunities, and meaningful impact—plus, you’ll be helping us meet critical EPA-funded grant goals that support long-term environmental health in Tennessee.
Tree planting and live staking will take place through fall 2025– winter 2026—and we need passionate volunteers like you to make it happen!
Stay in the loop! Join our mailing list for the latest volunteer opportunities and project updates.
