About Urban Green Lab
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 organize teams, train them on making sustainable choices, and connect people with services and peers to walk with on their sustainable journey. We envision a Nashville where everyone has access to opportunities for learning about sustainable living.
Educating in places where culture begins
The Classrooms programs train educators and provide confidence, tools, and community to bring a sustainable lens into any classroom.
The Households division creates sustainable living education systems that inspire residents and families to be part of the solution.
The Workplaces branch educates and builds communities and cultures of sustainability in businesses throughout the Nashville area.
Special Initiatives
Our special initiatives are focus areas of sustainability education that Urban Green Lab has chosen to highlight and incorporate throughout the divisions.
The Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative is growing a movement of environmental justice learning that protects Nashville's marginalized communities.
The Nashville Food Waste Initiative develops tools and implements strategies for decreasing food waste and growing sustainable food consumption practices to serve as a model for other cities.
2023 annual report
For more information on our organization, programs, and impact, read our 2023 Annual Report.
EVENTS
Nashville Earth Day Restaurant Challenge
From April 12-20, select Nashville-area restaurants will showcase a prix fixe meal or menu special that incorporates elements of sustainability like organically produced, sustainably recovered, or locally sourced ingredients as part of the Nashville Earth Day Restaurant Challenge.
Learn More2024 Earth Day Events in Nashville
If you’re looking for how to celebrate Earth Month or Earth Day in Nashville, Urban Green Lab has a roundup of different ways to celebrate the beauty of our planet and learn about solutions that make our planet, its people, and their prosperity a top priority.
Learn MoreEarth Month Coffee Crawl
From April 1-22, Zero Waste Nashville and Urban Green Lab are showcasing sustainable coffee shops across Nashville through the first Earth Month Coffee Crawl! Grab some friends and try out new drinks across the city.
Learn MoreBLOG
Tips for Dining Deliberately
As we host the Nashville Earth Day Restaurant Challenge, here are a few tips for dining more deliberately at a restaurant or at home.
Read More2024 Earth Day Events in Nashville
If you’re looking for how to celebrate Earth Month or Earth Day in Nashville, Urban Green Lab has a roundup of different ways to celebrate the beauty of our planet and learn about solutions that make our planet, its people, and their prosperity a top priority.
Read MoreUrban Green Lab Publishes 2023 Annual Report
Urban Green Lab shares the 2023 Annual Report showcasing program achievements and stories from stakeholders
Read MoreUrban Green Lab urges restaurants to donate food
Restaurants across Middle Tennessee are being forced to close their doors because of Covid-19. The Urban Green Lab doesn’t want their food to go to waste.
Read MoreLocal partners in food scrap recycling in Nashville
In 2015, NRDC selected Nashville as its pilot city for developing high-impact local policies and actions to address food waste by preventing food…
Read MoreUGL Executive Director Appointed to Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Committee
Todd Lawrence, executive director of Urban Green Lab, will co-chair the Waste Reduction subcommittee of the Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Committee.
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