Cumberland River Compact

Conservation Landscape for your Yard Program Interest

Conservation Landscape for your Yard Program Interest

Share your information and we will contact you soon with more information and the opportunity to schedule a consultation for a fall 2023 planting.

In the fall of 2023, we will be prioritizing the implementation of pocket prairies and will have limited capacity for rain gardens.

Conservation Landscapes for your Yard

The Cumberland River Compact is thrilled to lead Nashville in an effort to promote conservation landscapes by rewilding residential yards through the installation of Pocket Prairies and Rain Gardens. Many of our common water quality issues start at home. Please fill out the form below to find out how you can make an impact by implementing a conservation landscape!

What is a Pocket Prairie? 

A pocket prairie is a lawn that acts as a home for insects and pollinators through the introduction of a diverse variety of native plant species. The goal of a pocket prairie is to reduce the amount of traditional turf grass coverage in your yard. A pocket prairie is filled with native grasses, flowers, and shrubs with deep root structure better suited to absorbing incoming storm water while also providing habitat for a wide range of pollinators and beneficial insects.

What is a Rain Garden? 

Rain Gardens are a natural and beautiful way to reduce and clean stormwater. They are shallow, depressed gardens designed to collect rainwater and allow it time to filter into the ground, mimicking natural processes. This results in cleaner water, less water entering our storm systems, and more water refilling the underground water table that keeps small streams flowing during the dry summer months. Rain Gardens are lovely, lively, colorful, low maintenance habitats for insects and animals. Their native plants provide food to songbirds and butterflies. 

Why should I use Conservation Landscapes? 

The benefits of conservation landscapes outweigh those of traditional turf grass lawns. Native plants have much deeper root structures, allowing them to absorb and filter out stormwater more efficiently than turf grass, thus improving water quality and stormwater control similar to a rain garden. They also promote biodiversity by providing habitat for pollinators.


Additional benefits include: 

  • Lower maintenance garden/yard

  • An increase in beneficial insects that will help eliminate those pesky ones

  • Attracts pollinators

  • Will help reduce standing water which will in turn reduce mosquito breeding

Questions?
Natalie.Stone@cumberlandrivercompact.org

Downloads

Rain Gardens for Nashville

The Cumberland River Compact's Rain Garden Manual.