Green Resources
This section provides links to Metro, state and federal government environmental programs and initiatives as well as related websites with calculators, money saving tips, and more that will help you add more green to your life.
Air Quality
- Pollution Control - information on the Metro Health Department website.
- Air Quality Data - Metro Public Department's air quality data.
- TDOT's Clean the Air Tennessee - website offers information on how to improve air quality in Tennessee.
- National Air Quality Maps - show the national and local air quality index and air quality forecast.
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory - baseline inventory of greenhouse gas emissions for Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.
Construction & Green Building
- Development Services - a resource for builders and developers in Nashville.
- Metro Department of Codes and Building Safety - provides permitting, inspection, enforcement, and information products to the Nashville community, so they can experience safer buildings and improved quality of life.
- Metro Planning Commission - the Planning Commission guides growth and development as Nashville and Davidson County evolve into a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable community, with a commitment to preservation of important assets, efficient use of public infrastructure, distinctive and diverse neighborhood character, free and open civic life, and choices in housing and transportation.
- Low Impact Development - a resource provided by Metro Water Services on sustainable stormwater management.
Energy Use & Conservation
- Funding for Renewable Energy Projects - Green Power Switch Generation Partners program with TVA.
- Energy Conservation - resources through the Nashville Electric Service.
- NES Commercial Advice & Incentives Program - this program helps commercial customers manage their energy use more efficiently.
- Powerwise Residential - track residential energy use, calculate savings and get an in-home energy evaluation.
- Powerwise Commercial - track commercial energy use and learn ways to conserve.
- Calculate Your Home Energy Use - this tool allows you to input your own data and then provides you with estimates of energy use costs.
- Compact Fluorescent Bulb Information - learn the benefits of CFL's, where to recycle them and how to clean up a broken bulb.
- Calculate Your Household Emissions - get a “ballpark” estimate of your personal or family’s greenhouse gas emissions and explore the impact of taking various actions to reduce your emissions.
- Save Energy & Money at Home - learn ways to save energy and use clean, renewable technologies at home, while driving and at work.
- US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy - tips on saving energy and money at home.
- U.S. Department of Energy - official website of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Locally Grown Food
- Nashville Farmer’s Market - download recipes, check out the news and events or just learn more about Nashville Farmer' Market.
- Food Security and Nutrition - Food security is a strong, sustainable, local and regional food system that ensures access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for all people at all times.
- Tennessee Farm Fresh - is a program of the Tennessee Farm Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture promoting locally grown food.
- Community Supported Agriculture - information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Community Supported Agriculture in Tennessee - links to CSA's in the Nashville area.
Natural Environment
- Parks & Recreation - provides information on all Parks facilities and programs.
- Greenways - learn about Nashville's Greenways, the benefits of greenways and upcoming events.
- Map of Nashville's Greenways - download a map of all Greenways in Nashville.
- Community Gardens - connect with and find community gardens in Nashville.
- Metro Tree Advisory Committee - learn how to choose, plant and care for trees. You can also view the "Learn How to Plan a Tree" video.
- Tree Planting and Care Resources - frequently asked questions on tree care.
Recycling & Waste Reduction
- Backyard Composting - read the "how to" of backyard composting and find out where you can purchase compost containers.
- Residential Recycling - everything you need to know about residential recycling in Nashville and Davidson County.
- Business Recycling - find companies interested in helping your business with recycling and download a waste audit booklet.
- Metro Government Building Recycling - in 2008, Mayor Dean mandated 100% employee recycling participation.
- Event Recycling - learn about event recycling and how to borrow recycling containers for your next event.
- Green Meetings - plan your next meeting "green" at the Nashville Convention Center.
Transportation Options
- Metro Transit Authority - access bus information and the latest developments in mass transportation
- Regional Transit Authority (RTA) RideShare Program - sign up to join a car or vanpool.
- Calculate Your Savings by using Public Transportation - check out how much you could save by using public transportation.
- Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee - an advisory committee for the Metropolitan Government established by Mayor Karl Dean to promote and encourage safe bicycling and walking to further Nashville’s goal of becoming a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly city.
- Sidewalk & Bikeway Plan - download the Nashville and Davidson County Strategic Plan for Sidewalks and Bikeways.
- Map of Nashville's Bikeways and Trails - view a map of all bikeways and trails in Nashville.
Water Management & Conservation
- Nashville’s Drinking Water - Metro Water Services publishes this annual report of Nashville's water quality.
- Water Conservation - get tips on how you can conserve water and save money.
- Stormwater Management/Clean Water Infrastructure Program - learn the importance of managing stormwater.
- Low Impact Development - a resource provided by Metro Water Services on sustainable stormwater management.
- Adopt-a-Stream - a program of Metro Water Services to keep our streams and rivers clean.
- Keeping Our Community Waters Clean - what Metro Water Services is doing to keep our water clean.
- How to Make a Rain Barrel - get step by step instructions on how to make your own rain barrel.
General Environmental Information
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Join EPA's Pick5 for the Environment on Facebook
- Listen to Environmental Podcasts
