Middle TN Group August 2022 Program
Tennessee Smart Yards by Amy Dunlap
August 11 (Thu), 2022 at 7:00 PM CST
Walter Criley Visitors’ Center at Radnor Lake
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. 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.
UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. It is a statewide educational organization that brings research-based information about agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and resource development to the people of Tennessee where they live and work. University of Tennessee Extension’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Team helps Tennesseans run more profitable farms and agricultural holdings, grow and process abundant and safe food, and create a cleaner environment.
Amy Dunlap is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Davidson County. Her focus is residential and consumer horticulture. She serves as the coordinator for the Davidson County Master Gardeners. Amy is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Plant Science. She has experience in ornamental horticulture as well as hydroponic food production. Her passion is in finding ways to bring agriculture into urban environments.
Additional resources:
- UT Horticulture Database: https://www.uthort.com/
- Tennessee Smart Yards: https://tnyards.utk.edu/
- Information on Riparian Buffers & Creekside Plants: “Most native plants are well adapted to their region. In Murfreesboro, a few of the common native riparian plants are the grasses and sedges: river oats (a.k.a., northern sea oats), Joe Pye weed, Virginia wildrye, splitbeard bluestem; shrubs: wild hydrangea, buttonbush, New England Aster; trees: black willow, green ash, sweetgum, box elder, silky dogwood, rough leaf dogwood, Shumard Oak (Quercus shummardii).”
- UrbanRiparianBufferHandbook (pdf) https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/agriculture/documents/forestry/UrbanRiparianBufferHandbook.pdf
- Guidance for Riparian Buffer Plantings (pdf)
https://www.tectn.org/uploads/1/1/9/8/119801148/appendix-3.2-guidance-for-riparian-buffer-plantings-tdof-2014.pdf - Creating a Streamside Buffer
https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/428/Creating-a-Streamside-Buffer-2012?bidId= - Questions on gray water systems – please reach out to Julie Berbiglia with Metro Water Services - Julie Berbiglia – Education Specialist - Julie.Berbiglia@nashville.gov