OMNR Community Partners

We appreciate the community partners who exemplify the spirit of Conservation in Action! We could not do what we do without them.

Our community partners include: 

  • Groups and organizations that have joined forces with us and/or financially supported our efforts in managing Murfreesboro's natural resources. Many of our joint projects involve long-term commitments to improving the health of Murfreesboro's aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and their support enables us to do much more than we could otherwise. 
  • The many individuals, service groups, and schools who choose to pitch in on activities such as greenway cleanups and weed wrangles with us or independently. Through the years, they have donated countless hours and significant elbow-grease - as well as essential financial and in-kind donations. "Many hands make light work," and their contributions to our community makes Murfreesboro a better place for us all! 
  • The biologists and other professionals working for government agencies, universities, and non-profit natural resource-focused organizations who advise us on management strategies and help with plant and animal surveys in our natural areas. Their expertise is invaluable!

(Note: Links to groups that are not part of Murfreesboro City Government will take you off this site to our partners' websites.)

People in hats studying plants in field in spring

Project Partners:

These are the groups who take an active role in OMNR projects. Their contributions may come in the form of ongoing participation, and/or in the form of financial support or in-kind donations. We value their support and their stewardship of Murfreesboro's natural spaces! 

Garden Lovers Club of Murfreesboro

Oaklands Jeans Swamp 2 - BannerThe Garden Lovers Club works with us at Sinking Creek wetland to restore habitat and with scouts in the rain garden at Oaklands Park. They have also donated funds and supplies to  the Murfreesboro Indigenous Plant Project. "Jean's Swamp" remains as a testament to their hard work and dedication to our environment.

Master Gardeners of Rutherford County

People potting nursery plants - outside in springThe Master Gardeners of Rutherford County volunteer with us regularly in the native plant nursery for the Murfreesboro Indigenous Plant Project.

MTSU - Dept. of Biology 

Two men netting fish in a creekOur partners at Middle Tennessee State University's Dept. of Biology have worked with us on many different fronts, from field surveys, to teaching TNP courses, to sponsoring student cleanups.

Murfreesboro Stormwater Division

West Fork Stones River at barfieldThe Stormwater Team in Murfreesboro's Water Resources Division have worked closely with us for many years. They offer support with bioretention management, monitor water quality in our wetlands and creeks, work with us on developing prototypes for floating trash catches, and are always available when needed.

Murfreesboro Street Department

People and machinery clearing trees in park by lakeFrom large scale invasive plant removal and habitat restoration projects to helping us manage emerald ash borer-affected trees in our natural areas and along our greenway system, the Street Department has time and again brought in their heavy equipment and aided the OMNR team.

Rutherford County SCS CROP Grant

Seeding Pollinator Plot in DecemberThe Rutherford County Soil Conservation Service CROP grant gave OMNR our first grant to install a pollinator plot at Old Fort Park. Their support ensured that an almost one-acre site full of Bermuda grass has turned into a haven for pollinators and other invertebrate and wildlife species. Projects like this demonstrate how much life can be supported in small areas.

Scouts - Various troops

Scouts removing invasive vines from a tree in a wetland swaleScout groups and individual scouts have given countless hours to our parks system. Eagle scout projects, clean-ups, habitat restoration, interpretive signage installation, trail sign installation - there are too many projects to name!

Southeastern Grasslands Initiative

lmay seed collectingSGI has provided countless hours of guidance on resource management, species identification, and seed collection training. We are grateful to work side-by-side to catalog, collect, and store some of the rare plant species that can be found in and around Murfreesboro for future restoration projects.

Stones River National Battlefield

Park rangers speaking to a group of people around tables under trees in summerBattlefield staff have spent many seasons toiling with us to remove invasive shrubs along the greenway! They coordinate and manage volunteer events for National Public Lands Day and National Parks Day - a great example of what Conservation in Action is all about. They have provided management guidance, educational and training opportunities, and assistance with habitat restoration in other natural areas, as well. 

Stones River Watershed Association

Group of people looking at a display case of insects - in parkThe Stones River Watershed Association works with the OMNR team on various projects such as river and wetland clean-ups, water quality educational programs, small watercraft safety, and in-kind donations in support of the Murfreesboro Indigenous Plant Project and River Clean-up projects. Their commitment to improving the quality of our freshwater systems is why we value their partnership and contributions to our community. 

TN Naturalist Program

CitSci - Nestbox Mon. - BannerTNP students and graduates volunteer with the Natural Resource Team in many areas, including citizen science projects, native plant nursery, and stewardship events throughout parks.

Wild Ones - Middle TN Chapter

People in coats and hats looking at small yellow flowers in wet, rocky opening - early springLeaders of the Middle TN Chapter of Wild Ones have joined us for many plant surveys in Murfreeesboro's natural areas and open space.

Walck-MTSU - Birding - Banner

Individuals, Groups, and Agencies:

A multitude of individuals, groups, and professional resource managers and biologists from universities and government agencies contribute their energy and expertise to our various initiatives. They help us get the job done, and we're very grateful for their assistance!

Event Participation

Group of people in red shirts in park gazebo The contributions from individuals and private groups - such as family groups, religious organizations, schools, and business employee volunteer groups - can't be overstated. These are the folks who turn out, month after month, year after year, to help with OMNR projects and with cleanups, weed wrangles, and other events that are critical to keeping natural spaces healthy in an urban setting.

Read more about our volunteer opportunities.

Independent Action

Woman in sun hat standing in a patch of tall yellow flowers in a meadow and photographing themSome folks prefer to work on their own projects that contribute to the health of Murfreesboro's ecosystem. They plant native plant gardens that support pollinators and other backyard wildlife, choose to be Litter Gitters and pick up litter when they see it, become Citizen Scientists and report their Murfreesboro native plant and wildlife sightings online, establish conservation easements on their property, and donate financially to support natural resource stewardship in Murfreesboro.

Advisors and Resources

Advising in the fieldFrom site surveys to management advice, these natural resource professionals generously share their time and expertise with us - and with members of the public. Check out their websites for more information on their focus and their own projects:

Natural Resource Conservation Service
TN Dept. of Environment and Conservation
TN Native Plant Society
TN Wildlife Resources Agency
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Quail Forever

OUTDOOR MURFREESBORO LOGO - white bird on branch silhouette in orange circleJoin Us!

Signup Genius website - Opens in new windowOutdoor Murfreesboro offers many volunteer activities in the great outdoors throughout the year. Come help us care for Murfreesboro's wonderful natural setting, get some fresh air, and meet others who share your enthusiasm for nature. Sign up (on our SignupGenius.com page) for specific events or just let us know what your interests are, and we'll contact you when we have an upcoming event we think you might enjoy.

Help us care for the natural spaces in Murfreesboro's parks, get some fresh air, and meet others who share your enthusiasm for nature! Visit our SignUp Genius site to see a complete list of scheduled volunteer opportunities. Learn More