Homeowners, businesses, and groups of any variety can now sign up to receive free trees for their property or community. The catch? The trees must be planted in one hour, at 10 a.m. Central/11 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, Feb. 21.
A team of non-profit organizations, state agencies and community groups seeks to plant 50,000 trees in one hour across Tennessee on "50K Tree Day," the first tree-planting undertaking of its size in Tennessee, according to event organizers. Organizers are currently recruiting interested groups and individuals to get involved.
"We're putting the 'tree' in country," said John McFadden, CEO of Tennessee Environmental Council. "Our goal is to have fun while making a positive difference for our communities. Once these trees are in the ground, they will benefit our communities with cleaner air and water for decades to come."
"TDEC is pleased to join so many organizations and individuals taking action to plant trees across Tennessee that will create a host of environmental benefits, from preventing soil erosion and water pollution while contributing to cleaner air for us all to breathe," said Shari Meghreblian, deputy commissioner for Environment with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, one of the event partners. "These efforts will also make real and lasting difference for communities across Tennessee."
Event organizers are looking for individuals and groups to get involved. Here's how:
1) sign up to volunteer at a site in your county
2) sign up to pick up four, eight or 12 free trees to plant at your home or business
3) sign up your group to host a planting event and assemble your own team of volunteers in your community
4) help identify a tree-planting location in your community
For more information, and to sign up in one of these ways, visit www.tectn.org/50ktreeday.
50K Tree Day is being coordinated by Tennessee Environmental Council, Cumberland River Compact, Tennessee Stormwater Association, Tennessee Department of Agriculture -- Division of Forestry, TDEC, and the following partners: Harpeth River Watershed Association, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, Tennessee State Parks, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, US Dept. of Agriculture-Forest Service.