Welcome

EarthMatters NetWORKS is a group of environmental educators, youth and organizations that have come together to make a difference in the community and the lives of its people.

In order to acheive our mission, EarthMatters offers a broad range of programs to enhance your interior and exterior living spaces and to educate our young people on the benefits of environmental responsibility.

Mission: We are a dynamic team of earth educators, from various backgrounds, dedicated to growing healthier neighborhoods thru GRACE:

Gardens - "Dig your hands in the dirt, children play with earth", written by Speech of Arrested Development, is a popular rap song within the EarthMatters Network. Garden provide therapeutic joy and pain, the cosmic yin and yang of balance. Programs for gardeners at every level of expertise are offerd free of charge including free raised bed gardens for low income, single mothers willing to work and play in the soil. It's been said that one well cared for tomatoi plant can provide enough seasonal tomatos for a family of three! Eating what you grow and growing what you eat - a magical recipe for nutrition, exercise, unplugged hobbies and a lesson in delayed gratification.

Recycling - "From whence it came" - we often claim that that can or bottle of juice, pop, soup or veggies has brought you direct sustenance, flavor and satisfaction and that we should return the favor! Reduce, reuse, Recycle, Return, Restore and Rejoice...the list goes on and on (another Speech song!). African Americans are experts at renovation, repair, reclamation and rejuvenation - a natural connection to what is needed to solve today's solid waste problem. "Waste is just and unused resource." Dr. Carver.

Advocacy/Action (Cooking Panel) - Community greening gets people out of their "usual." It empowers chiuldren, youth, families and communities to address municipal and civic duties and responsibilities. It teaches team work, collective work and responsibility, faith and independence. Walking clubs and gardens get neighbors out and identify community assets as well as report cracked sidewalks, vandalism, broken street lights, feral dogs, etc. and provide invaluable "presence" in the community.

Composting - Our annual Leaf Lift rescues curbside bags of leaves and gives them renewed life at one of our composting sites. Our central "sight" is at the Geo. W. Carver Food Park where thousands of bags are organically composted. We "create the space" for the miracle of composting to happen. As we add to the pile with ingredients from our organic recipe, we help Mama Nature create rich garden gold for use in gardens, yardens and beautification projects around the city and Middle Tennessee. See History for more information.

Education - Hands on experiential education that takes place outside the "classroom" has been proven to positively impact children and youth. Our work in and out the classroom, from daycares to graduate schools, is the most rewarding outreach we are committed to. For a list of some of our workshops and presentations check our our education page.