A&E Programs Give You the Tools to be an Eco-Warrior in Your Own Yard! 
Lynda Parker, A&E Chair
The Aesthetics and Environment Committee hosted some great learning programs over the last couple of months. A&E is committed to bringing you learning opportunities to help you learn how to be a good environmental steward for your yard. Of the 5000 acres of land in Tellico Village, approximately 3400 acres is privately owned by homeowners. We recognize the actions of individual homeowners can have a significant impact on the overall aesthetics and environment of our village.
On Earth Day, April 22, at the Toqua Pavilion, we were joined by 26 village residents to view the one-hour documentary movie: “The Extraordinary Caterpillar.” We peeked into the dazzling world of Nature’s tiniest and mightiest superheroes. After the movie, we enjoyed a Q&A session with a panel of local experts. After learning in the film of the vital role native plants play in the lives of caterpillars, we then learned the hillside beside Toqua Pavilion contains only 2 native plants. Questions from the audience seemed to focus on what kind of plants they should buy to put in their yards; and where to purchase these plants. Some brought photos they had taken of butterflies in their garden and asked for help IDing the species.
On the very next day, April 23, 19 of the 33 people registered gathered downstairs at the Yacht Club, to listen to Prof Andrea Ludwig present information about the “TN Smart Yards Program”. TN Smart Yards is a UT Extension-led program that guides Tennesseans on practices they can apply in their outdoor spaces to create healthier, more ecologically-sound landscapes and communities.
Then, on May 19th, upstairs in the Yacht Club, Regina Santore from the Smoky Mountains chapter of Wild Ones gave a repeat presentation of “Flutter and Glow” to 24 villagers. This information-packed seminar answered the question “Why don’t I have more birds, butterflies and fireflies in my yard?” Regina gave us specific things we can do to make our yards more attractive to birds, butterflies and fireflies. Everyone went home with handouts containing information about our local butterflies and caterpillars, as well as resources for native plants. Following the seminar, Regina held a pop-up native plant sale from the trunk of her car giving attendees the opportunity to purchase native plants to take home and put in their garden.
Looking ahead, A&E is planning some exciting seminars. In June, we’ll be hearing from a master gardener who may be joined by a UT-Extension turfgrass specialist to tell us how best to take care of and irrigate our turf lawns. Next up, we’re planning a seminar to be presented by a solar energy expert to tell us not only why we should consider solar power but also the realities for homeowners ready to make the commitment: what you should know; what questions to ask; and what you should realistically expect… Finally, we’re hoping to have a local forester come and talk to us about the trees in our yards and how to best take care of them.
Once we have the details confirmed for these seminars, all the information (dates, time, and location) will be posted on the Tellico Life Events Calendar.
Lynda Parker, A&E Chair (cell) 865-603-0466 (text or leave message) lyndaparker62@gmail.com