Operation PRIDE Gives Away 165 Free Trees
Citizens lined up before dawn as the annual giveaway distributed trees and mulch to support reforestation in south-central Kentucky.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Operation PRIDE held its annual tree giveaway in Bowling Green, distributing 165 trees and mulch in partnership with International Paper. Citizens lined up at 6 a.m., and the trees were gone extremely early.
Why it matters
The giveaway supports reforestation in Bowling Green and south-central Kentucky, where a December 2023 tornado removed a large portion of the community's tree canopy. The effort offers residents a direct way to replant trees on their own property.
Operation PRIDE distributed 165 trees, including white dogwood and sun valley maple, and gave away mulch alongside them. Citizens began lining up at 6 a.m., and the supply ran out extremely early, with the number of residents unable to receive a tree not stated.
The players
Operation PRIDE
Operation PRIDE is the organization that runs the annual tree giveaway in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
International Paper
International Paper is a global paper and packaging company that partnered with Operation PRIDE on the tree giveaway.
The details
Citizens selected from available species, including white dogwood and sun valley maple, distributed first-come during a Friday event held in partnership with International Paper. The traffic line wrapped around the block before the trees were gone.
Timeline
December 2023: A tornado removed a large portion of Bowling Green's tree canopy.
Friday, November 6, 2026: Operation PRIDE held its annual tree giveaway.
Philanthropy Context
The giveaway is a direct response to the canopy the December 2023 tornado removed from Bowling Green, adding replanting to the recovery that followed. It extends a local reforestation effort across south-central Kentucky, where residents are rebuilding tree cover one household at a time.
Residents can receive free trees and mulch at future Operation PRIDE giveaways, which are first-come and draw long lines. Those planning to participate should arrive early, since the supply ran out extremely early this year.
The takeaway
Residents who want to help rebuild Bowling Green's tree canopy can plan to arrive early for future giveaways, since supply runs out quickly.
What happens next
Operation PRIDE will announce its next tree giveaway, though no date has been given.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in Philanthropy coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WNKY News 40 Television.
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Should your community prioritize planting trees to replace canopy lost in storms?
