Urban Green Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists to teach communities how to live sustainably in Nashville, TN and its surrounding counties. We envision a Nashville where everyone has access to opportunities for learning about sustainable living.
OUR IMPACT
How we work
The Classrooms Division includes the Sustainable Classrooms program.
Recently, the Classrooms Division trained educators from Isaac Litton Middle School teaching them how to bring sustainability into their classrooms and school.
Educating Households
The Households Division includes the UGL Volunteers and Sustainable in the City.
The Households Division recently relaunched Sustainable in the City as a podcast with the Nashville Department of Waste Services. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
The Households Division includes the UGL Volunteers and Sustainable in the City.
The Households Division recently relaunched Sustainable in the City as a podcast with the Nashville Department of Waste Services. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
Coaching Workplaces
The Workplaces Division includes the Nashville Sustainability Roundtable, Sustainable Workplaces Collaborative, and B Tennessee.
Workplaces Division recently launched a new educational program for Nashville organizations called the Sustainable Workplaces Collaborative.
Exploring Solutions
We explore solutions through our two special initiatives, the Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative and the Nashville Food Waste Initiative.
The Nashville Food Waste Initiative just installed the third mural in our "Waste Less" murals project, which highlights how food is community. The mural was designed and painted by LeAndra Crystal.
We explore solutions through our two special initiatives, the Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative and the Nashville Food Waste Initiative.
The Nashville Food Waste Initiative just installed the third mural in our "Waste Less" murals project, which highlights how food is community. The mural was designed and painted by LeAndra Crystal.
The Sustainable Changemakers Collective is more than just a membership program—it's a movement of people committed to transforming Nashville into a culture that values sustainability.
By becoming a member, you're sustaining the work of positive culture change in our city. Plus, members enjoy exclusive benefits like discounts to local businesses and VIP experiences at events.
Program Participant Testimonials
“It makes me happy that there is such a community of inspired people with the goal of making Nashville more sustainable on an individual and community level.”
- Maria Morales, UGL Volunteer
UGL EVENTS
Nashville Sustainability Roundtable – July 21, 2026
Join Urban Green Lab for a behind-the-scenes look at sustainability in action with LEO Events: a woman-owned, award-winning experiential agency.
How to Heal the Planet Film Screening and Panel at Patagonia Nashville
How To Heal The Planet is a 25-minute documentary by Davis Watson following Jeffrey Orkin, the Mississippi-born urban farmer behind Greener Roots Farm, whose decade-long journey building a world-class hydroponic operation in Nashville intersects with the chefs and food pioneers who transformed this city’s dining scene by connecting it to local farmers. Featuring Margot McCormack, Jeremy Barlow, Tyler Brown, John Dyke, and Vanderbilt professor Amanda Little, author of The Fate of Food.
Voices of Resilience: Exhibit Launch & Celebration at The Curb Center Gallery
Join us for an evening celebrating the intersection of climate and creativity. The Voices of Resilience exhibit launch is part gallery walk, part party and features the stories, art, and voices at the heart of this powerful project.
THE UGL BLOG
A Vote for the Environment – A Voter Resource for Nashville’s 2023 Mayoral Election
As you decide who to vote for in the 2023 Nashville Mayoral election, Urban Green Lab provides environmental priorities to keep in mind when assessing candidates.
Construction debris is filling up landfills; Nashville is trying to do something about it
Today, Mayor John Cooper announced plans that starting on Monday, January 30, 2023, Nashville Metro Water Services (MWS) will provide Nashville residents with every other week curbside recycling pickup services.
Dispatches from the Field: The Elephant Sanctuary
When you think of an elephant’s habitat, what comes to mind? Our guess is that Tennessee is low on your list. However, to the surprise of many, Hohenwald, TN is […]
UGL News
Urban Green Lab to Receive $10,000 Challenge America Award from the National Endowment for the Arts
Urban Green Lab to receive $10,000 Challenge America Award from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the Waste Less mural project.
Urban Green Lab Co-Hosts Climate Week Cook-Off with 1 Hotel
Urban Green Lab co-hosts Climate Week Cook-Off in Nashville with 1 Hotel to showcase the connection between food waste and the climate.
Nissan North America Donates Electric Vehicle to Urban Green Lab
Nissan North America has donated a fully electric 2023 Nissan LEAF to Urban Green Lab (UGL), continuing its support for UGL’s mission of teaching communities to live sustainably.