Chattanooga Offers Free Tree Giveaway This Weekend!
Hey there, Chattanooga! Are you ready to get your hands a little dirty and make our beautiful city even greener? This Saturday, October 19, Free Tree ReLeaf is back, and it’s offering two free trees for every household that is an EPB customer. That’s right! As long as supplies last, all you have to do is show up and grab your free trees.
What is Free Tree ReLeaf?
The Free Tree ReLeaf program is an exciting collaboration between some fantastic local partners: Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, the City of Chattanooga, and EPB. This initiative isn’t just about giving away trees; it’s about promoting Chattanooga’s unique ecology, reducing issues with stormwater, and providing our community with the know-how to plant them in a way that helps prevent future power outages. What a win-win!
A Word from Our Mayor
Chattanooga’s Mayor, Tim Kelly, had some inspiring words about this initiative. He said, “Chattanooga’s greenspace makes our city special, our health better and is central to our work to become America’s first National Park City.” He emphasized how the Free Tree ReLeaf program helps preserve our environment by using native species while providing the right education for residents. “Thanks to these treasured community partners, we are making sustainable investments in the canopy of our community, improving quality of life for all Chattanoogans,” Mayor Kelly added.
Pick from Seven Native Plant Species
This weekend, you’ll have the chance to choose from seven native plant species. Not only will you get a beautiful tree or shrub to plant, but you’ll also receive a planting guide right on-site. The guide will provide you with the perfect recommendations for the best spots to plant, how to avoid future power outages, and directions for taking care of your new green friends. If you can’t make it out to the event, don’t worry! You can find helpful information at epb.com/freetreereleaf.
More About Reflection Riding
Mark McKnight, the President and CEO of Reflection Riding, shared why this program is so important. “Free Tree ReLeaf is an important extension of our Native Plant Nursery to reintroduce more native species in our community with the right information residents need to help them thrive,” he said. With the support of EPB and the City, they’re working hard every spring and fall to ensure our local ecosystems remain vibrant and healthy.
Planting Trees for a Brighter Future
You might wonder, why is this so crucial? Well, reintroducing native plant species offers countless benefits. Trees can help with stormwater drainage and enhance water quality, which is essential, especially in the wake of events like the Easter tornadoes in 2020. This community effort was born to combat those challenges and continues to thrive, especially with EPB joining in during the fall of 2022 to expand eligibility to all their customers.
EPB’s Commitment
EPB’s CEO, David Wade, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “EPB’s focus on improving our electric system’s reliability begins from the ground up, beginning with the safest place to plant trees,” he noted. With the Free Tree ReLeaf program, the community can help keep our greenspace healthy and beautiful.
Join in the Fun!
If you’re an EPB customer in Chattanooga, mark your calendars for this Saturday, October 19, and come on down. Bring your family, grab those free trees, and let’s keep our city lush! It’s a simple step that packs a punch for our local ecosystem. Happy planting, Chattanoogans!
