Radnor is 75 trees richer after recent planting
They came from as far away as Jacksonville, they did a few calisthenics, and then they started digging.
By the time the dust had cleared on September 18, more than 100 volunteers had planted 75 trees at Radnor Lake as part of the CSX Trees for Tracks program.
CSX, which is planting a tree for each of its 21,000 miles of track, provided funding and volunteers for the reforestation project. Trees Nashville was the local planting partner.
"It's a great event. It's great for the environment, and it's great for getting people out here to be part of this process," said CSX chief financial officer Oscar Munoz.
He and other volunteers from the corporate office in Jacksonville, local CSX employees, and Trees Nashville supporters planted dogwoods, sweetgums and tulip poplars on 6.5 acres of park property in the Radnor Glen subdivision. This land was saved from development by Friends of Radnor Lake in 2004.
"We literally stopped the bulldozers from clearing this land," said park manager Steve Ward. "Because the land was partially cleared, we needed to help nature out by planting new trees to help restore the natural area."
The planting will help protect Radnor's viewshed, said Trees Nashville president Chris Armour. "When you're in the woods, you don't want to see structures. This planting will help protect the natural experience."
The trees also offer real economic value to Nashville. "When mature, they'll provide over $12,000 of direct benefits every year," Armour said. "That includes energy savings, carbon storage, cleaner air, reduced stormwater runoff and a cooler neighborhood."
"It speaks volumes when a large corporate entity comes to a state park to invest time, money and energy to help us preserve the natural integrity of this great park," said Charley Hankla, president of the Friends of Radnor Lake board. "It is a wonderful partnership we hope to continue long into the future. The transformation is amazing."
Alliance for Community Trees is the national partner for the Trees for Tracks program, and the service group City Year provides logistics and volunteer support.
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Volunteers warm up with jumping jacks.
Friends of Radnor Lake president Charley Hankla welcomes volunteers.
Trees Nashville president Chris Armour describes the project.
Metro Tree Advisory Committee member Bill Tolbert conducts a demonstration planting.
Metro Parks horticulturalist Randall Lantz works with planters.
Volunteers plant a grove of dogwoods.
Members of Vanderbilt's Delta Delta Delta sorority show off their shirts.
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