Go Green With Us
Go Green With Us to protect and preserve our State Parks through resource conservation, sustainable operations, and recycling!
Sustainability efforts at Tennessee State Parks are as diverse as the Tennessee landscape - from recycling paper in park offices and installing energy-efficient LED lighting to installing pollinator gardens and creating vegetative buffer areas around wetlands and shorelines at the golf courses.
Since 2015 when the Go Green With Us Program began as a recycling initiative, state parks have continuously improved their environmental stewardship while reducing their carbon footprint. A comprehensive guideline was developed and released in 2017 to steer parks in the path of sustainability in all of their operations. Many campgrounds are now trash-can-free and are served by conveniently located dumpsters and recycling bins. This helps to save time and money as well as reduce litter throughout the campgrounds. Some restaurants are reducing their food waste through diversion, donation, and composting practices. Some restaurants and parks even have on-site gardens, providing fresh seasonal herbs and vegetables to the kitchen and local communities.
April 2018 marked the first inaugural Go Green With Us Recognition awards ceremony. As of 2019, every Tennessee State Park has been recognized for taking positive steps to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, protect land and water resources, and reduce waste.
To view the TSP Go Green Guidelines and recognition program please click here.
The 2020 Awards (below) are presented for work that was done in 2020. To see what other things parks are doing to Go Green, click on a park below.
