The Memphis community is displaying great momentum in area of greening and sustainability. On top of our beautiful natural resources, trails and green spaces, there are many organizations and action groups committed to promoting sustainable lifestyles for all Memphians.  In addition to the existing resources listed below, bikes lanes are being added around the city including Madison Ave. There are also plans to extend the current greenway system throughout the Memphis Metro area with projects like the Harahan Bridge development.

Citizens to Preserve Overton Park

A citizen group working to preserve and defend the Old Forest and open spaces of Overton Park for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

Greater Memphis Greenline

The Greater Memphis Greenline aims “to get people engaged with each other and the environment. With the completion of the Shelby Farms Greenline, the efforts now focus on extending and connecting the Greenline across the Memphis metro area. These efforts will connect the Shelby Farms Greenline to Uptown, the Wolf River Greenway and the Mississippi River Trail.

Greening Greater Memphis

A resource for Memphis residents who are interested in building or upgrading a green home or office.

Green Jobs Network Memphis

A listing of resources to assist job seekers who are looking for jobs or careers in Memphis that focuses on social or environmental responsibility.

Livable Memphis

Livable Memphis is a grassroots coalition of individuals, neighborhood leaders, community organizations, and business and government partners. Working together, we promote the kind of healthy growth and development that benefits existing urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods across the greater Memphis region.

Memphis Bio-Works Foundation

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, executing a strategic business plan that leverages the competitive strengths within the region while expanding the infrastructure, educational opportunities, and entrepreneur support needed to expand bioscience industries. The innovative bioscience ideas of the Foundation work to change the way we live, our healthcare and the “greening” of America.
The foundation was recently awarded a grant by the U.S Department of Labor to deliver high-growth jobs training and jobs placement assistance to long-term unemployed workers.

The Memphis Botanic Gardens

Memphis Botanic Garden strives to enhance lives by connecting people with plants and by increasing awareness and appreciation of our environment. The 96-acre property includes 23 specialty gardens, which provide an in-depth look into various families of plants, flowers, and trees.

Memphis Park Services

Memphis Park Services has been providing fun and educational activities for the residents and visitors of Memphis for over 100 years and many activities are free. Memphis Park Services oversees 166 parks, 110 playgrounds, the Memphis Zoo, the Memphis Botanic Garden, the Pink Palace Family of Museums, and much, much more.

The Memphis/Shelby County Office of Sustainability

Shelby County Government completed the region’s first agenda for sustainability with the Sustainable Shelby Implementation Plan. This plan established a strategic framework for action with regard to “green” initiatives in Shelby County. The newly created Office of Sustainability, funded through an Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant (EECBG) from the Department of Energy (DOE), has been charged with the implementation and oversight of the Sustainable Shelby Implementation Plan. The Office of Sustainability will be the area’s leading advocate and resource for sustainability and will coordinate various regional initiatives.

Mud Island River Park

Conveniently located near downtown Memphis, the Mud Island River Park is a great way to explore the great outdoors. Visitors can ride the monorail; rent canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and bikes; visit the Mississippi River Museum; and stroll the River Walk, a representation of the Mississippi River from Cairo, IL to New Orleans, LA.

Park Friends

Park Friends, a group of advocates for Overton Park, hosts clean-ups and projects to beautify the historic midtown park.

Project Green Fork

“Project Green Fork is a non-profit, collaborative community initiative that assists Mid-South restaurant owners in reducing waste, lowering overhead and decreasing their environmental impact thereby creating a more environmentally sustainable restaurant industry.”

Recycle Memphis (curbside program)

This City of Memphis website provides information about the DOs and DON’Ts of recycling in Memphis.

Riverfront Development Corporation

“Riverfront Development Corporation is responsible for creating a world-class waterfront destination. Its work is transforming the downtown area along the Mississippi River into a vibrant showcase of green space, public use and recreation that will reconnect citizens to their riverfront. The RDC’s exciting plan includes Beale Street Landing, the 5-mile Riverwalk and Bluffwalk, the Promenade, and 11 exceptional parks.

Seedco

Seedco is partnering in an ambitious green jobs initiative led by the Memphis Bioworks Foundation. Through the initiative, an impressive collaboration of community colleges, employers, labor organizations, and workforce agencies are training workers for energy efficiency and renewable energy careers within a 26-county Tennessee-Arkansas region.

Shelby Farms Park

Shelby Farms Park, open daily from sunrise to sunset, offers 4,500 acres for running, off-road mountain bicycling, fishing, horseback riding, whitewater paddling, disc golfing, bird watching and more.

Terra House

The Terra House, Technologically + Environmentally Responsive Residential Architecture, is an initiative of the University of Memphis Department of Architecture that aims to educate students and professionals on sustainable design.

Urban Land Institute Memphis

ULI Memphis provides access to the vast array of ULI resources at the local level. ULI Memphis strives to be a leader in creating dialogues, convening partners and educating and informing real estate professionals and citizens in the Mid-South about best practices for creating thriving sustainable communities in our region.

Wolf River Conservancy

“The Wolf River Conservancy is a non-profit land trust based in Memphis. Our mission is to conserve and enhance the Wolf River corridor and watershed as a sustainable natural resource.”