Volunteer
Root Nashville relies on community volunteers known as Neighborhood Planting Captains to help recruit their neighbors to plant trees. Neighborhoods with active Planting Captains are given priority for free trees.
Become a Neighborhood Planting Captain
This is a great volunteer opportunity for Davidson County residents who are ready to make a larger time commitment and love meeting their neighbors! You don’t need tree experience to apply– just a passion for your community and a desire to help grow Nashville’s tree canopy. Visit the Neighborhood Planting Captains section of the FAQ page to learn more.
Applications are accepted year-round, but the Root Nashville team evaluates them in April. All Neighborhood Planting Captain applications will receive a response by May 1.
A year in the Life of a Planting Captain
- Attend an in-person leadership training session facilitated by the Cumberland River Compact in May, where you’ll meet other Captains and discuss strategies for spreading the word about free trees.
- Advertise free Root Nashville trees in your neighborhood from June-August by putting up flyers, going door-to-door, using social media, attending community meetings, etc.– whatever you think is best! You’re the expert on your community.
- Gain access to (optional) Captains-only volunteer planting events in the fall and winter where you’ll learn how to properly plant a tree from Root Nashville staff, get some practice, and then take your knowledge back to your neighborhood.
- Be a resource for your neighbors from October-March if they have questions about their Root Nashville tree delivery, tree planting, or tree care (with the help of resources and guidance from the Root Nashville team).
Questions?
Visit the FAQ page or email hello@rootnashville.org.
The Neighborhood Planting Captain program is led by the Cumberland River Compact. The Compact’s mission is to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries through education, collaboration, and action.
Volunteer Planting Events
The Cumberland River Compact hosts two citywide Root Nashville volunteer planting opportunities each year: one in spring, and one in fall. Sign up for the Compact’s email newsletter, Streamlines, to be notified when they’re coming up!
Private volunteer planting events for companies are available through the Compact’s corporate team building program.
