As the Clean Air Partnership continues to spotlight local municipalities utilizing innovative approaches to create environments with cleaner air and educate their residents on the importance of leading a greener lifestyle, this month we’re pleased to recognize the great work underway by the Village of Glen Carbon.
Located just 14 miles northeast of the City of St. Louis and home to nearly 14,000 residents, Glen Carbon continues to pursue various strategies to be a more sustainable community and uphold their rich tradition of being a great place to live, work and play. In 2022, the Village received the Award of Achievement in the Green Cities Challenge, where participants advance their green efforts by implementing a sustainability policy and practicing fundamentals, including addressing measures defined by OneSTL, the regional plan for sustainable development.
“The Green Cities Challenge has provided us with the opportunity and resources to enhance the environment and quality of life for the residents of Glen Carbon,” said John Slosar and Chris Krusa, co-chairs of the Glen Carbon Cool Cities Committee. “We are grateful to the organizers and co-participants in the Challenge for their help in making Glen Carbon a greener and healthier place to live.”
Among the many accomplishments that helped earn Glen Carbon recognition in the 2022 St. Louis Green Cities Challenge is the expansion of its community garden and Mayor Marcus’ Tree Giveaway that distributed 500 conservation-grade, bare-root native species trees to Glen Carbon residents and local elementary schools. The Village also received a Trees Forever grant to plant 14 new native trees in area parks, which significantly benefits outdoor air quality by releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
Moreover, Glen Carbon worked to develop an ordinance requiring electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that not only help to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels but also reduce harmful carbon emissions. The Village’s five-person Cool Cities Committee meets once a month and promotes city-specific action plans such as this that are designed to reduce global warming pollution and improve quality of life for residents and the planet. Additionally, the Village began investigating the possibility of a prairie restoration at Greenspace East, which covers 80 acres between Old Troy Road and Route 159 with 9,500 feet of asphalt trails designed for air quality-friendly activities like walking, hiking and jogging.
For more information on the sustainable efforts underway by the Village of Glen Carbon and how your municipality can get involved in the Challenge, subscribe to the bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair.
