LEAD Public Schools

LEAD Neely’s Bend teams with Root Nashville

LEAD Neely’s Bend joined volunteers from Root Nashville and Cornerstone Church earlier this month to plant nearly 200 new trees on the school’s campus in Madison. 

The plantings are a part of Root Nashville, a campaign led by the Cumberland River Compact and Metro Nashville to plant 500,000 trees in Davidson County by 2050. Root Nashville launched just over one year ago, and in that time over 5,600 trees have been planted. 

“Trees provide environmental benefits like managing stormwater and filtering pollutants, but they also bring economic and public health benefits. We are thrilled to work with Cornerstone Church volunteers to make this incredible impact on our tree canopy – and therefore, the residents of Nashville – in a single day,” said Root Nashville campaign manager Meg Morgan of the Cumberland River Compact. 

Volunteers planted approximately 170 trees were planted on the 31-acre campus of LEAD Neely’s Bend on Saturday, Nov. 2.

“We are very fortunate to team with Root Nashville and the Cumberland River Compact to plant these trees at ‘The Bend,’” said principal Dr. Tait Danhausen. “With this project, our staff and students — and any visitor to campus — will have a subtle understanding of the importance of caring for our environment and, especially, our school grounds.” 

The mission of the Cumberland River Compact is to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries through education, collaboration and action. 

Root Nashville’s Advisory Board is chaired by former Tennessee Senator, Bill Frist on behalf of the nonprofit Frist founded, NashvilleHealth. Additional Advisory Board members include the Nashville Tree Foundation, The Nature Conservancy-Tennessee, and Hands On Nashville.