Volunteers needed for Oct. 30 tree planting along Garrison Creek

Community volunteers are needed Friday, Oct. 30, for a tree planting event along Garrison Creek in east Murfreesboro aimed at protecting the local water supply.

In this undated file photo, a volunteer plants tree seedlings along Garrison Creek in Murfreesboro. Another tree planting is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30. (MTSU file photo)

The MTSU Stormwater Program is coordinating the event, which will last from 9 a.m. to noon Friday. Volunteers should meet in the Kroger parking lot at 2050 Lascassas Pike at North Rutherford Boulevard.

Organizers are asking volunteers to devote one, two or three hours to planting seedlings along the creek. Volunteers should bring sturdy boots or closed-toed shoes along with gloves, warm clothing and water.

The goal of the project is to develop a stream protection zone to improve local water quality. Trees along the stream filter out pollutants such as yard chemicals, oils that leak onto pavement and loose dirt that flow into the stream when it rains. The trees also cool the water and provide a canopy that improves the habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife.