Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown and the Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation are partnering with Root Nashville to plant 100 trees across the Midtown campus in honor of the hospital's more than 100 year history. Annually, these 100 trees will prevent an estimated 11,932 gallons of stormwater runoff, store 3,003 pounds of carbon, and remove seven pounds of pollutants from the atmosphere. Each tree will count towards Root Nashville's goal of seeing 500,000 trees planted in Davidson County by 2050.
An initiative of Metro Nashville and the Cumberland River Compact, Root Nashville is a public-private campaign to create a "tree canopy" that will improve air quality, lower average daytime temperatures, reduce Nashvillians' risk of heat-related illnesses, and boost water quality. Additional trees will provide shaded spaces for outdoor recreation and will beautify the urban landscape, thus improving the physical and emotional well-being of residents. As of Earth Day, April 22, combined efforts across Nashville have led to the addition of more than 16,000 trees.
Ascension Saint Thomas is proud to join Root Nashville in creating a greener, healthier Davidson County. New campus trees are made possible by the Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation's Carrie Teaford Campus Beautification Fund. The fund was established in 2017 to honor the legacy of the late Carrie Teaford, a beloved community member and former hospital administrator. Any Middle Tennessean who would like to sponsor a tree on campus is encouraged to contribute online at this link. In addition to their environmental impact, the trees will help make the hospital an even more beautiful, welcoming sanctuary for patients.
The campaign for 100 trees will begin with an intimate launch event on Tuesday, May 4, from 9 to 10 AM just outside Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown. Representatives from the Office of the Mayor, the Cumberland River Compact, and Root Nashville will be in attendance. Media members are invited to attend and should email me at anjali.bright@ascension.org to reserve space at this socially-distanced event.