Yard Smarts is a free yard and garden design service provided by the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy to help keep our community’s water clean and our wildlife thriving. Photo by Carol Markham

It’s that magical time of year when snowflakes dance from the sky, wrapping the world in a cozy, white blanket. People are warm and snug inside, sipping hot cocoa and watching winter do its thing. But while everyone is bundled up, the team at the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is thinking about something important–what’s going on under that snow!

THE SECRET BENEATH THE SNOW

You see, under all that winter snow, the plants and flowers are waiting patiently for spring. But there’s another secret hidden under the snow too–the water that flows through our yards! When snow melts or rain falls, that water runs off our grass, gardens, and driveways and into lakes and rivers, and that water needs to stay clean. The big question is–what’s in that water? That’s where Yard Smarts comes in!

WHAT IS YARD SMARTS? A FREE,

SUSTAINABLE YARD AND GARDEN DESIGN SERVICE!

Launched by the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy in 2020, Yard Smarts is a FREE program that helps homeowners, renters, businesses, schools–even entire towns–make small but powerful changes that protect our water, create wildlife-friendly spaces, and keep our yards thriving. And the best part? It’s super easy to do!

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? SIMPLE STEPS TO A SMARTER YARD

Think about this: Just by planting native flowers and grasses, you can create a paradise for pollinators like butterflies and bees. By reducing chemical use, you help keep harmful pollutants out of our water. And by designing your yard to soak up rain instead of letting it rush into storm drains, you’re giving nature a helping hand in filtering and cleaning our water naturally.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT: 800+ YARD SMART HOMES AND

COUNTING!

So far, nearly 800 homeowners in Chautauqua County have joined the movement, and we’re just getting started! Whether you live by a lake or miles away, your yard plays a role in keeping our community’s water clean and its wildlife thriving. The best part? A Yard Smart yard isn’t just great for nature–it’s beautiful, low-maintenance, and good for you, too!

LET’S MAKE OUR YARDS

SMARTER IN 2025: ATTEND OUR KICK-OFF EVENT!

Ready to make 2025 the year your yard goes green (literally)? Join us for our Yard Smarts Kick-off Event on Wednesday, March 26th from 5:30-6:30 PM at the Conservancy’s office (71 E. Fairmount Ave, Lakewood) to learn more about the program and how simple and fun it is to get started!

Your yard has the power to make a difference. Let’s make it Yard Smart!

Carol Markham (carol@chautauquawatershed.org) helps transform everyday yards into thriving, eco-friendly spaces. As a conservationist with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, she guides homeowners and businesses in creating beautiful, water-friendly landscapes that support wildlife. Passionate about native plants and pollinators, she makes conservation fun and accessible for all. Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to preserve and enhance the quality, scenic beauty, and ecological health of the Chautauqua region’s lands and waters for our community. For more information, visit chautauquawatershed.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.