Environmental sustainability is about the future. Adopting practices like preventing pollution, reducing waste, conserving energy, reducing emissions to air and water, and boosting recycling are to be celebrated at a time when providing better, cleaner tomorrows is a priority.
Because the Village of Glenview wants to recognize organizations in Glenview that are taking the lead with environmental stewardship, innovative best practices and community outreach, the Village's Natural Resources Commission sponsors an environmental sustainability awards program. Nominees can be any organization, including businesses, schools, houses of worship and volunteer groups, that serve the Glenview community.
Nominees can be considered in one of these categories:
- Innovation – How a new practice has improved sustainability and is a departure from the current practice. Examples of this are, but not limited to, new uses of recycled or reused materials, energy or material-efficient techniques or other more sustainable departures from previous practices.
- Leadership – How the organization has demonstrated that its practices are above and beyond common practices for its peers and how others were influenced. Examples of this are, but not limited to, mentorship of other organizations, participation in associations that have made changes or influenced members and going beyond the requirement of environmental regulations.
- Education and Outreach – Action(s) an organization has taken to influence its employees, members, customers or other stakeholders to improve sustainable practices. Examples of this are, but not limited to, community outreach or educational events.
To nominate itself or be nominated by another, an organization should have completed the activities and achieved results that support the nomination within the past 12 months. Nominators will need to provide a narrative piece describing the experience, rationale for taking action, successes and environmental results or changes in practices generated or influenced.
Click here for a fillable nomination form
Applications must be submitted by email to rflakne@glenview.il.us by November 1, 2023. They'll be reviewed and selected by the Environment & Natural Resources Commission Awards Committee, with recognition by the Village Board of Trustees.
Meeting the sustainable energy challenges of the 21st Century starts at home, in the workplace and in our schools. Success stories, if replicated, can positively effect our future. So let's start by recognizing the good environmental stewards in our community.
2022 Environmental Sustainability Award winners (View the PowerPoint)
Innovation – Glenview School Disrict 34
District 34 implemented sustainable building practices in the construction of new school additions, including day lighting, energy efficient equipment, the planting of over 200 new trees and on-site stormwater detention. Sustainable features of the construction included:
- Overall design elements integrated at all new wings and renovated spaces support energy reduction through compliance with the Illinois Energy Conservation Code.
- The capacity totals 1,824,764 gallons of detained stormwater. These vaults slow down rainwater to prevent runoff. They increase capacity and reduce the overall impact of stormwater on the entire community.
- The construction required that 21 trees be removed. However, the District planted 214 new trees of 22 distinct species.
Education and Outreach – Glenview Gardeners
The Glenview Gardeners is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that launched and incorporated in 1991. The multi-generational group draws members from six surrounding communities with a basic goal of encouraging a love of gardening. Glenview Gardeners hosts local meetings to raise awareness of a variety of sustainable activities, runs an annual plant sale, maintains a pollinator garden for native insects and demonstrates permaculture.
Innovation – Princeton Village Homeowners Association
Education and Outreach – Greener Glenview
Greener Glenview broke new ground in 2021 when it launched Glenview’s first community-led organization focused solely on environmental goals. Dedicated to putting sustainability at the heart of how people live and work in Glenview, the nonprofit group pursues its mission through education, collaboration, and advocacy for sustainability in both the natural and built environment. Greener Glenview has reached more than 500 community members at programs and events in the last year, and its monthly bulletins reach a steadily growing mailing list now at numbering more than 200.
The Village encourages local organizations to adopt practices that help prevent pollution, reduce waste, conserve energy, reduce emissions to air and water, and boost recycling. Meeting these sustainability challenges starts at home, in the workplace and in our schools.
The Village wants to highlight the success stories of organizations within the community so that, if replicated, others will be spurred to collaborate and share strategies, policies, procedures and best practices for environmentally sustainable practices.
2021 Environmental Sustainability Award winners
2020 Environmental Sustainability Award winners
2019 Environmental Sustainability Award winners
2018 Environmental Sustainability Award winners
