Replant Clarksville’s mission is clear and ambitious: to return the community to a healthy level of native tree canopy with the support of local businesses, local governments, nonprofits and citizens. Modeled after the successful Trees Atlanta organization, which transformed Atlanta from a sparse urban landscape into one of America’s most tree-rich cities, Replant Clarksville, a 501(c)(3) organization, brings this proven volunteer-based approach to Clarksville.

Why trees matter now more than ever

The urgency of Replant Clarksville’s mission becomes apparent when examining the current state of tree cover in the region. According to 2025 data from the Washington Post, Clarksville currently has only 29.8% tree cover, with a concerning five-year decline of 0.8 percentage points. This loss contributes significantly to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, where cities become substantially hotter than surrounding rural areas.

Heat mapping data from 2024 reveals that Clarksville experiences temperature variations of up to 35 degrees Fahrenheit across different zones, with commercial downtown areas reaching temperatures 6-7 degrees warmer than tree-shaded suburban and rural areas. This isn’t just an inconvenience; the issue affects energy costs, air quality, and community wellbeing.

Benefits of trees to Clarksville

Trees provide numerous environmental, economic and social benefits that make them invaluable urban infrastructure:

Environmental benefits:

  • Air quality: Trees absorb air pollution and filter particulates from the air with their leaves and bark.
  • Water quality: Trees and dense vegetation filter sediment and pollutants from stormwater runoff.
  • Oxygen production and carbon storage: A mature tree can absorb and store about 50 pounds of carbon dioxide annually while producing oxygen.
  • Reduced flooding and erosion control: Trees slow the flow of stormwater runoff, allowing water to reach rivers more gradually and reducing flooding while helping hold soil and reduce erosion.

Economic benefits:

  • Increased property values: Homes with mature trees regularly sell for more than similar homes without trees.
  • Saving energy: Properly placed shade trees can reduce the need for air conditioning by 10% or more in nearby buildings, lowering energy bills.
  • Cooling effect: In cities, trees can lower the temperature of shaded homes and streets by up to 10 degrees, with shaded surfaces being 20-45 degrees cooler than unshaded surfaces.

Health and social benefits:

  • Health benefits: Studies show that human interaction with nature reduces blood pressure and heart rate while increasing immune system function.
  • Shade: Trees provide essential shade, making outdoor spaces more comfortable and usable.
  • Homes for wildlife: Trees provide habitat for birds, and many native tree species provide food for pollinators, including butterflies and native bees.

Ambitious growth goals for Replant Clarksville

Replant Clarksville has set clear, measurable goals for tree planting:

  • 2025: 300 trees (organization and planting in high-profile locations)
  • 2026: 1,000 trees
  • 2027: 2,000 trees

In partnership with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, Replant Clarksville will plant its first 300 trees at six schools selected from 20 campuses the district identified as tree deficient. Comprehensive planting plans for these sites have been developed and are currently under final review, with more details coming soon.

Community support through sponsorship

Replant Clarksville operates through community support at multiple levels.

Corporate sponsorship levels:

  • Platinum: $10,000 or more
  • Gold: $5,000
  • Silver: $2,500
  • Bronze: $1,000

Individual participation:

  • Supporting membership: $100 annually (open to all individuals who want to join the team)
  • Project sponsors: Sponsor a specific project at any level

The trees planted today will provide shade, clean air and natural beauty for generations to come. By working together, Replant Clarksville is ensuring that future residents inherit a greener, healthier and more livable community.

The time to plant is now. Join Replant Clarksville in growing a better future, one tree at a time.

Learn more at replantclarksville.org.