The Sustainable Backyard Tour

What is the Purpose?

The goal of the SBYT is to provide an opportunity for neighbors to meet each other and see firsthand how others are transforming their yards from energy intensive lawns to something more sustainable.  

History

The Sustainable Backyard Tour began as a simple 6-yard tour of chicken coops in the neighborhood surrounding Home Eco in 2010. In 2011, the owners of Home Eco and Isabee’s worked together to create the First Annual Sustainable Backyard Tour, featuring 30 yards throughout the city and county showcasing a variety of elements, from organic vegetable gardening to goats. In 2012, with the help of some amazing volunteers, the tour expanded to include 54 stops and some 1300 registered guests. The tour has received great support from the community and the public every year since!

Each year we attempt to refine the tour by identifying and selecting yards that are proximally located, ideally within walking distance, believing that it is easier to get started on your own yard when you can see examples of backyards that are similar in size and style, and share the same microclimate, resources, and ordinances.

Concept

The concept of the Sustainable Backyard stresses converting unproductive, high-maintenance lawn and pavement into something more useful and restorative―both to the earth itself and the human spirit.

A sustainable backyard offers the opportunity to provide food for our families, wildlife habitat, relaxation and visual appeal, all while minimizing impacts on the environment and the communities in which we live.

Sustainability means a way of life that has the capacity to endure.  Unsustainable doesn’t mean just environmentally irresponsible, it means unable to continue. Our fossil-fuel dependent way of life, particularly our industrial food system, can not continue forever. The sustainability movement addresses what we do instead.

If you plan on attending, click here and they will let you know when the map is ready and how you can get it.

If you can volunteer to be a yard docent, for even part of the day, click here and go behind the scenes!