Keeping Tennessee’s land and water healthy, one yard at a time.
— a yard that is in balance with the local environment for the benefit of both people and our ecosystem.
Tennessee Smart Yards is an Extension-led 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.
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 actions described in our TNSY Workbook. Maintaining a Tennessee Smart Yard provides natural functionality for homeowners through working with nature for the benefit of both. Learn why a “Smart Yard” is right for you and our environment.
I have so, so loved learning how easy and accessible it is to be environmentally friendly and “smart” about our yard!
– Coffee County Certifier
Smart Yard Community Initiative Taking Root at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
Accepting applications now for pilot communities to help build a Tennessee Smart Yard Communities initiative. To review the application and submit for your community, visit the Smart Yard Communities page.
- Start Your Path to a Certified Yard
- Find your Watershed Address
- Sustainable Landscaping Planning and Plant Selection – W868
- Leveraging Your Landscape – W869
- Rainwater: Your Liquid Asset – W300
- Tennessee Rain Garden Plant Recommendations
- UT Gardens Created Wetland Plant List (2020)
- Check out all the Smart Yards protecting our clean water and natural resources with our Dashboard.
Tennessee Smart Yards was developed through a partnership between the Tennessee Water Resource Research Center and UT-TSU Extension, with support from a 319 Nonpoint Source Program grant from the Tennessee Dept of Agriculture. Materials adapted from Florida Friendly Yards and Neighborhoods with permission.