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.
How we work
Training Educators
![UGL-PUBLIC-LIBRARY-TRAINING-MAY-2024-078 Women in a black t-shirt facilitates an activity with two people](https://urbangreenlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UGL-PUBLIC-LIBRARY-TRAINING-MAY-2024-078-scaled.jpg)
The Classrooms Division includes the Sustainable Classrooms program.
Recently, the Classrooms Division trained educators from the Nashville Public Library and discussed how to incorporate sustainability into their children's and teen programming.
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 Zero Waste Nashville. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
![Urban-Green-Lab-Volunteer-Training-Feb-2024-044 Woman sitting at a table talking with three other people](https://urbangreenlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Urban-Green-Lab-Volunteer-Training-Feb-2024-044-scaled.jpg)
![Urban-Green-Lab-Volunteer-Training-Feb-2024-044 Woman sitting at a table talking with three other people](https://urbangreenlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Urban-Green-Lab-Volunteer-Training-Feb-2024-044-scaled.jpg)
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 Zero Waste Nashville. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
Coaching Workplaces
![URBAN-GREEN-LAB-CREMA-ROUNDTABLE-040 Man speaking on a panel](https://urbangreenlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/URBAN-GREEN-LAB-CREMA-ROUNDTABLE-040-scaled.jpg)
The Workplaces Division includes the Nashville Sustainability Roundtable, Urban Green Lab Certification, and B Tennessee.
Become a member and join the Workplaces Division for their upcoming Nashville Sustainability Roundtable at the Nashville Public Library's new Donelson Branch.
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.
![IMG_6582 IMG_6582](https://urbangreenlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6582-scaled-e1719591103969.jpg)
![IMG_6582 IMG_6582](https://urbangreenlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6582-scaled-e1719591103969.jpg)
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.
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
2023 annual report
For more information on our organization, programs, and impact, read our 2023 Annual Report.
![Screenshot 2024-06-27 at 2.16.02 PM Screenshot 2024-06-27 at 2.16.02 PM](https://urbangreenlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-27-at-2.16.02-PM.png)
UGL EVENTS
UGL Volunteer Training – September 28
The UGL Volunteers are Urban Green Lab’s frontline ambassadors working to make Nashville a more sustainable place. Join us for volunteer training to learn more about sustainability and how to talk about sustainability with family, friends, and neighbors.
Learn MoreNashville Sustainability Roundtable: September 19
Join us on Thursday, September 19, for the Nashville Sustainability Roundtable hosted by Urban Green Lab in partnership with REI!
Learn MoreUGL Volunteer Training at the YMCA- July 23
The UGL Volunteers are Urban Green Lab’s frontline ambassadors working to make Nashville a more sustainable place. Join us for volunteer training to learn more about sustainability and how to talk about sustainability with family, friends, and neighbors.
Learn MoreUGL RESOURCES
Nashville Summer Social Events
Nashville is buzzing with community events that bring people together. Spending more time volunteering at community gardens, or going to farmers markets and block parties can create a sense of belonging, community, and friendship. Engaging in social gatherings amplifies the sustainable impact we can make as a community. These gatherings provide the opportunity to build a supportive network of people you can rely on to sustain your life and well-being.
Read MoreI Never Thought of Tennessee as a Prairie State–I Was Wrong.
Read our latest blog post written by the Cumberland River Compact to learn why we should protect our grasslands and what Nashville residents can do to help.
Read MoreEnvironmental Justice is Social Justice
Each quarter, our UGL Volunteers learn about a topic in sustainability, and this quarter we are learning more about environmental justice. This blog is an excerpt of content shared with our UGL Volunteers.
Read MoreUGL News
The First Lab Recogntion Graduating Cohort!
Our first cohort of community institutions has successfully completed their first year in our recognition program!
Read MoreThe Green Issue: Environmental Justice Initiative Educates About Environmental Racism
“The environmental sector suffers from an alarming amount of whiteness,” says Patrick King, the sustainability education manager of local nonprofit Urban Green Lab. “There’s a perception that it’s a space only for affluent white folks, when in reality, when you look at the numbers, the overwhelming majority of people who believe in climate change and believe that things have to be done around climate change are Black and brown.”
Read MoreThe Green Issue: So You Want to Recycle Responsibly
Voting with our dollar and buying into eco-friendly companies may become even more important in Nashville, as many of our landfills are set to fill up and close in the next few years. Todd Lawrence, executive director of nonprofit Urban Green Lab, says the organization educates residents about Metro’s priorities, like the current Solid Waste Master Plan, which “will serve as a roadmap to achieving Zero Waste over the next 30 years,” according to Metro’s website.
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