Going Greener Every Day at Uplands Village
Contributed by Uplands Village resident Mary Schantz – Being an environmentally responsible and ecologically sustainable community is the natural choice of the Uplands Village Board, our staff, and residents. It’s our goal to “go greener” every day to create a healthier future for all. These are just some of the ways we’re achieving that goal.
A Certified Wildlife Habitat on 500-Acre Campus
The National Wildlife Foundation has designated Uplands Village a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Most of our intentionally undeveloped 500-acre campus, with its open fields, clean lakes, waterfalls, and natural woodlands, plus our purposeful soil and water conservation methods – practiced by staff and residents – make Uplands an ideal habitat for the rich variety of native plants, birds, fish and animals that thrive here.
Protecting and Providing for Our Endangered Species
Uplands Village has always been a Bird-Friendly Community, as defined by the Audubon Society, and is part of the Tennessee Bluebird Society project to increase the dwindling Eastern bluebird population. Many of us install, monitor, and report nest box activity in our yards and enjoy watching birds hatch and fledge their nests. We’re even installing a nest box, equipped with a wireless camera inside that connects to televisions in our assisted living, memory care, and long-term care facilities, so that more Uplands residents can watch the bluebird life cycle in action.
We also plant milkweed to provide food for monarch butterflies on their annual migration path. And our resident beekeepers work to restore the population of these essential pollinators.
Recycling our Gifts from the Earth
The many organic gardeners in our community and in the town of Pleasant Hill, where Uplands Village is located, have welcomed one of our latest environmental initiatives. We now have two central compost bins where everyone at Uplands, gardeners and non-gardeners alike, are encouraged to put their compostable scraps.
Not sure what’s compostable? Educational workshops on this earth-friendly practice were recently offered to ensure maximum participation in this project.
Harnessing the Sun: Our Renewable Energy Initiative
The Solar Project Committee, led by an Uplands resident, reached out to our Pleasant Hill neighbors to make our town one of the first to be a source of clean solar power. Land has already been donated to host the bank of panels. A detailed plan has been presented to the Tennessee Valley Authority for approval and implementation, which we hope will be soon. The committee is also making a video of this sustainability initiative to help other communities become renewable energy sources
Uplands Watershed Restoration Projects at Work
Members of the Uplands Environmental Sustainability & Stewardship Committee (known as the “Green Team”) and the Obed Watershed Community Association (OWCA) spearheaded a grant-supported wetlands restoration planting project to support the healthy biodiversity of the streams feeding Lake Laura at Uplands Village. This labor-intensive initiative and stocking our lakes with fish beneficial to lake health have contributed much to protecting the Obed Watershed.
Most recently, a volunteer-led joint project of Uplands, the town of Pleasant Hill, and OWCA held a very successful litter pickup day here. Volunteers were as young as eight and many were in their eighties! “Whatever lands on Main Street ends up in TN waters” was the rallying message.
Choose the Neighborhood that Best Fits You!
There are eight independent-living neighborhoods on our 500-acre campus, each with its own distinct personality and setting. We intentionally remain a small community of service-minded individuals who know and care for one another, are committed to issues of social/environmental justice, and live with this purpose in mind.
Woods – “The Woods” has homes nestled among acres of hardwood trees. Deer, rabbits, and many species of birds have also chosen this neighborhood as their home.
Lakes – Homes in the Yonside and Lower Meadows neighborhoods are built around peaceful Lake Laura. Wood Lane and Laurel Drive share Jade Pond.
Hilltops and Meadows – If expansive hilltop views, meadows overlooking a working farm, or well-maintained neighborhood parks appeal to you, the homes on Upper Meadows and the duplexes on Grandview are both wonderful choices.
Uplands Village Center – Many neighborhoods are just a short walk from the fitness and aquatic centers, May’s Cafe, meeting halls, woodworking barn, dog park, Pleasant Hill Community Church – UCC, a Baptist church, post office, and all of our health care facilities.
We encourage you to call Uplands Village Real Estate today at 931-277-3127 to learn more about our Life Plan Community!