News
The Homegrown National Park Schools Program
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. […]
Winter Sowing: A Budget-Friendly Way to Start Your Native Garden
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 […]
Leave the Leaves: Why Less Cleanup Means More Life
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 […]
Introducing the Wildr Score: A New Collaboration with Plan it Wild
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: A Community for Living
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, […]
The American Lawn Is Over.
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 […]
Mosquito Bucket Challenge 2025
Est. Read Time: 5 minutes This summer, we launched the very first Mosquito Bucket Challenge-a simple, pollinator-safe way to reduce fogging without harming biodiversity. And what a response it was! From decorated buckets to community giveaways, you showed just how creative and passionate this movement can be. Your suggestions are already sparking ideas for how […]
Planting Possibilities
This story comes from Hannah Monroe, part of the Homegrown National Park community. Est. Read Time: 5 minutes How Motherhood Ignited Creativity and Community Like many of us during the early days of the pandemic in 2020, I needed a healthy outlet for my overwhelming stress. Gardening seemed to be helpful for other people I […]