UT Extension Smart Yards Program Wins Environmental Award for Education, Outreach

The University of Tennessee (UT) Extension’s Smart Yards program has been selected as the 2025 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award winner for Environmental Education and Outreach. The award is one of nine in different categories announced today by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

Since its launch in October 2020, Tennessee Smart Yards (TSY) program, has certified over 750 yards across the state, totaling more than 1,300 acres of enhanced land stewardship. Through education, empowerment, and ecological landscaping practices, Tennesseans are protecting water resources, improving property values, and building more resilient communities, one yard at a time.

Tennessee Smart Yards was adapted from the University of Florida’s program but tailored for Tennessee's landscape, culture, and climate. With support from UT Extension faculty and county agents statewide, the program provides science-based, unbiased education.

The program supports municipal stormwater education efforts where participants can earn incentives like free native trees and local compost products for becoming certified.
Participants have viewed over 4,100 hours of educational content and taken 13,500 individual stewardship actions, ranging from installing rain gardens and native plants to disconnecting downspouts to reduce flooding.

Tennessee Smart Yards has tracked impressive outcomes resulting in 665 yards that have removed or avoided planting invasive species; 630 yards now protecting soil from erosion; 397 homes reducing flood risk by disconnecting downspouts; 698 yards planted with native species that benefit wildlife; 631 households composting, diverting 200,000 pounds of waste from landfills; 211 rain gardens built, diverting 8.9 million gallons of stormwater runoff; and 331 rain barrels installed, capturing 12.4 million gallons of rooftop runoff through participant self-reporting and geospatial tools.

Beyond environmental metrics, the program offers economic value through landscape improvements which estimate increased property values of nearly $8 million.

It provides a fully digital, free pathway to certification via its website. Participants follow a four-step certification process that includes viewing educational videos, completing a customizable “yardstick” of actions, and reporting back through an online form.

The program has spurred community-level engagement through the new Tennessee Smart Yard Communities initiative, launched in 2024. Already, 10 communities have developed Community Action Plans, and a mini-grant program supported by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was introduced this year to support local demonstration sites and outreach. Master Gardener groups in Knox and Davidson counties have hosted Smart Yard Festivals, attracting hundreds of attendees with hands-on exhibits and resources on sustainable landscaping.

With nearly10 acres of Tennessee farmland lost every hour and over 4,000 miles of streams impaired due to runoff, residential stewardship is more critical than ever. The Tennessee Smart Yards program addresses these challenges head-on by providing accessible, voluntary tools for everyday residents to make a difference right at home.

Other winners of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards announced today in different categories are:

• Natural Resources – Sanofi, a global healthcare company
• Clean Air and Transportation Solutions – Averitt, a supply and logistics company
• Agriculture and Forestry – Cul2vate, a faith-driven nonprofit
• Sustainable Performance – The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
• Water Quality – Copperhill Industries
• Building Green – Donelson branch of the Nashville Public Library
• Materials Management – WM (formerly known as Waste Management)
• Energy and Renewable Resources – White Pine Solar Farm