Operation Overstory
While United Way and Hands On Nashville mobilized volunteers to help with storm cleanup, there has been a critical shortage of skilled arborists to address hazardous tree situations on private residential property.
NTCC developed this emergency response program to address this gap by activating our network of skilled arborists with experience in hazardous tree work, and who have a commitment to preserving trees. NTCC has a history of stepping up for the community after a disaster: “Operation Overstory” originally launched in March 2020, when we mobilized to give away thousands of trees to replace those lost to the tornado.
Shelby Arboretum
The Shelby Avenue Arboretum is an established arboretum in the heart of Nashville. Located in East Nashville neighborhood, the first tree for the project was planted in 2019. In 2020, East Nashville and other neighborhoods were decimated by an F3 Tornado followed by the global pandemic. Despite these challenges, over 270 trees were planted in 2020 by community volunteers following safe distancing and other pandemic protocols.
This project now hosts over 680 trees with a vision to plant just over 1,000 trees in total. The vision of this project to connect people to nature in their everyday urban neighborhood experience. The trees planted in this project are interesting, some are unique, all are beautiful, and this project endeavors to inspire the next generation of naturalist, or at the very least, help people see nature in its splendor.
Fisk Arboretum
In 2024, NTCC received a grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to increase the tree canopy on Fisk University’s campus. This was significant because Fisk University and the neighborhood in which it resides are considered a ‘heat island’ within Nashville.
Fisk was impacted by the 2020 tornado and had recently lost several other mature trees to disease, old age, and strong winds. Planting has been completed and is currently under consideration by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council to become a certified arboretum!