Stories

We’re thrilled to announce that Dee Salomon has stepped into the role of President of the Homegrown National Park Board. We’ve started this year with a flurry of Zoom calls—refining strategy, clarifying language, and digging deeper into how we grow the impact of this movement. And nearly every call begins the same way: Dee logs […]

Est. Read time: 5 minutes Cover photo: Heartland Ranch Nature Preserve by Lauren McCain Adding 51,000+ acres of protected shortgrass prairie to Homegrown National Park We’re excited to welcome the Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT) to the Homegrown National Park Biodiversity Map. With the addition of more than 51,000 acres of protected shortgrass prairie, SPLT

Find Your Yardenality™: A Design Shortcut for Transforming Your Backyard Some yards just feel right — inviting, natural, and full of personality. Others… not so much. If you’ve ever struggled to make your yard reflect you, this workshop will help. Yardenalities: A Design Shortcut for a Backyard Makeover is all about recognizing your personal style

Cover photo: Mosquito Bucket Challenge event by Barrington Green Team, NJ Est. Read time: 7 minutes How the 2024 Community Survey shaped our work in 2025 Each year, Homegrown National Park surveys our community to better understand what’s actually happening on the ground. The goal isn’t to measure perfection, but to listen carefully to the

Est. Read Time: 8 minutes Growing the Movement with Biodiversity Education in Middle Schools This year, Homegrown National Park launched something new and very close to our hearts. In partnership with an incredible group of teachers, students, and community organizations, we piloted the first year of the HNP Schools Program in the greater Chattanooga region.

Est. Read Time: 7 minutes Winter sowing is one of the easiest—and most affordable—ways to start native plants. We hear from a lot of people who want to plant native but feel held back by cost. Native plants can be pricey when you’re buying full-grown plants from a nursery, especially if you’re trying to transform

What the heck do I do with all these leaves? (The questions everyone asks) Estimated read time: 5 minutes Maybe you’ve heard that leaving your leaves is better for nature, but you’re not sure why or where to start. You’re not alone. Most of us grew up believing that a tidy yard meant a clean

The new Wildr Score from Homegrown National Park and Plan it Wild helps you measure your impact and celebrate the nature you’ve brought home. Fall is a great time to take stock of your outdoor space. Maybe you planted a tree, added native plants, or changed how you care for your yard—every step makes a

Sunbridge Sets the Model as the First Homegrown National Park Community St. Cloud, Florida By Tim Snyder, Executive Director Est. Read Time: 5 minutes I remember the first time I read Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy. I closed the book feeling fired up: Let’s get started. But when it came time to actually start,

Yes, the Era of the American Lawn Is Over. Here’s What Comes Next. On August 30, The New York Times published a guest essay with a bold declaration: “The Era of the American Lawn Is Over.”  The piece reflects what so many of us already know, that the vast, manicured lawns blanketing America have become