Little actions can make a big difference! Our RainSmart Yards program is a three-tiered system that awards homeowners who are practicing sustainability both inside and outside of the home. We offer a self survey to see what you’re doing right in your yard, and what you can improve (mywaterways.org/rainsmartyards)!

What kinds of actions make a big difference? Ensure your downspouts empty into gardens or your yard, not onto paved or otherwise impervious surfaces. Also, add absorption areas or buffer zones pf native plants around your lawn to absorb the runoff from your house and lawn, particularly on the downhill side. Native plants are a win win win kind of installation since they do not require fertilizers or other chemicals to thrive, have deeper root systems which direct the runoff further into the soil, and they also provide food and shelter for pollinators! Just to make it a little more fun, we have a little competition going on with Knoxville. The county with the most yards certified by the first day of Fall wins the NoogaKnox Challenge! We NEED YOUR HELP to BEAT KNOXVILLE! We will give you tips and how the whole process works during our presentation.