Greener Grove raises environmental awareness while building community and inspiring change
By Maureen Callahan
Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world.” Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead voiced these sentiments more than half a century ago. But their echoes are timeless.
A few years back, concerned Downers Grove resident Louise Kelly noticed a lack of environmental awareness around town. The Village’s Environmental Concerns Commission had gone somewhat defunct and wasn’t meeting. There was a general lack of accountability regarding sustainable practices.
Along with six other residents, Kelly began petitioning the village to reinstate the Environmental Concerns Commission. It took some time, but it happened with the help of a widespread email campaign. The efforts didn’t stop there.
January of 2023 saw the first meeting of Greener Grove (GG), Downers Grove’s environmental action group. “Some people were implementing their own sustainability practices at home, but there wasn’t any real method to it, so nobody really knew who was doing what,” said Kelly. “Our timing was perfect because the village was starting to discuss their long-range plans. After much back and forth, the Village Council adopted an aggressive sustainability plan and also hired a sustainability coordinator.
Over the past two years, GG has evolved into a group dedicated to acting locally and showcasing ways to make a difference.
Members find community within the organization. “It’s easy to become overwhelmed when you think you’re the only one who cares about a big issue like sustainability,” said Michelle Weed, GG Communications Director. “But when you get together with others who have similar concerns, you find there is hope.”
In addition to building empowerment, meetings also definitely have a social aspect. “Our December meeting was all about taking a step back to see how far we had come,” said Kelly.
This year, new initiatives will pave the way for further community-building opportunities. The group hopes to spend more time on youth engagement. “Children are the ones who will feel the greatest effects of climate change,” Weed knows. “We want to be able to give them a voice and help them amplify it.” Events to hear the concerns of interested young people are in the works. “Hopefully, we can minimize some of the situational scariness of climate change.”
A mentorship program will match certified GG mentors with neighbors who have specific environmental concerns. Home composting will be the first issue they will tackle. A GG member will visit a home to advise on how to begin the process, where in the yard or home to keep the compost pile, and offer maintenance recommendations. We’re looking to build out more ideas as we grow our membership,” said Michelle Libby, GG Programming Director.
The organization is also constantly looking to strengthen its community partnerships. “We have great partnerships with the village,” said Libby. Greener Grove representatives attend the village’s Environmental Concerns Commission meetings, as well as the Coalition for Plastic Reduction meetings. Members participate in school board and park district meetings to keep the pulse on what is happening in the community.
GG usually meets on the last Tuesday of the month at Lincoln Center (although locations might vary depending on the activity). The group welcomed renowned Morton Arboretum Herbarium Director Dr. Andrew Hipp to their January meeting. Hipp lectured on the relevance of Oak trees to all organisms on Earth. Meetings are sometimes scheduled to include outdoor activities such as nature walks or bird watching. Families with young children are welcome and encouraged to attend these daytime events.
GG is always looking for new members. It is an entirely volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible. GG volunteers are welcome at whatever level they wish to participate. Opportunities range from attending monthly meetings to raising awareness at the summer Farmer’s Market booth to becoming a liaison with other community partners.
GG has a full agenda of activities for Earth Week (April 16-22). Events are constantly being added.
Please visit GreenerGrove.org for a more detailed schedule of events.
Greener Grove’s Earth Week activities
4/21: Altar Brewing Company eco-friendly trivia
4/22: Village sustainability plan update
4/25: Tour of Downers Grove Sanitary District & student concert at St. Luke Church
4/26: Downers Grove Park District park clean-up
4/27: Downers Grove North tree planting
Local teens support the Greener Grove effort.
