Natural Highlights: Tennessee Smart Yards

Thank you to Dr. Andrea Ludwig for her excellent virtual presentation on Tennessee Smart Yards on July 12th!  If you missed the program or would like to see it again, you can access the recorded webinar at this link.

What is a Smart Yard?  It’s a yard that is in balance with the local environment for the benefit of both people and our ecosystem.  You don’t have to be an expert gardener or landscaper to create a Tennessee Smart Yard.  All it takes is a willingness to learn and a desire to take action.  Tennessee Smart Yards is a program that guides Tennesseans on practices they can apply in their outdoor spaces to create healthier, more ecologically-sound landscapes and communities. Nine principles of stewardship serve as the foundation for the program and are explored in online modules and practical workshops taught by UT-TSU Extension and water resource professionals.  The principles of stewardship include managing water efficiently, providing for wildlife, and reducing stormwater runoff through features such as rain gardens.

Visit the Tennessee Smart Yards website at this link, where you can download a workbook, view online modules taught by experts, and work toward certifying your yard if you like.