Earthcare
When it comes to “going green” there is a lot going on in Deerfield, Bannockburn, and Riverwoods.
Village Manager Kent Street says that Deerfield has been very proactive when it comes to promoting sustainability. Besides an active Energy and Recycling Commission that continually works on presenting a comprehensive approach for green initiatives, there have been many improvements; both small and large. “We are working on things such as promoting the use of rain barrels for storm water management,” says Street. The Village is also moving toward the development of a public parking area and green space that would have demonstrations of sustainable efforts, such as solar power and rain barrels.
Other steps Deerfield has taken include replacing all of the traffic signals with LED lights, coordinating special electronics collection events, and upgrading residential recycling to larger containers. “The larger size has resulted in an increase in recycling of about 20 percent,” says Street.
The Village Board is also exploring recycling options to try and include the commercial sector. Deerfield is also reconstructing and replacing their waste water treatment plant, and as they undergo this process, they are taking energy efficient and sustainable technologies into account wherever they can.
The neighboring Village of Bannockburn has had a very progressive approach in terms of green initiatives, and as a result they have also been able to receive grants to get some of their projects started. Village President Jim Barkemeyer says, “Some of our projects are stretched out over the next three years.”
Projects that the Village has been involved with include such measures as storm water management and improved plantings. Barkemeyer mentions the fact that they try to use low-maintenance plants such as native grasses that don’t need to be mowed. “In terms of building, we also have good setback and percentage of lot requirements here,” he says.
Bannockburn Village Manager Maria Lasday highlights initiatives such as the preservation of open space and the use of wood chips on walking paths instead of asphalt as two additional examples of things the Village has done with outdoor land. They have also been constructing rain gardens. “We are trying to show by example and encourage others to do the same,” says Lasday.
She also mentions that the Village is trying to use these efforts as an educational opportunity for the schools. Lasday says that they are doing their part indoors as well by using energy-efficient lighting and recycling. In addition, all of the furnaces in Village buildings are energy-efficient.
Richard Koomjian is a Director of the Riverwoods Preservation Council and he says that the Village’s Board of Trustees has demonstrated their concern about the environment by providing subsidies and passing ordinances crafted to encourage residents to protect and preserve it. He says, “There is a subsidy for residents who plant native trees on their property, and a subsidy for residents who remove buckthorn and garlic mustard (significant invasive species in the Village) on their properties.”
In addition to the subsidies, two important ordinances exist to help protect the natural surroundings. In 2003, a tree ordinance was passed that requires a property owner to file a permit application with the Village and acquire the approval of the Village forester prior to doing any type of tree work. In 2005, a woodland protection ordinance was passed that makes sure that no homeowner can remove more than 30 percent of existing woodlands from his or her property. Koomjian says, “The purpose of the ordinance is to preserve at least 70 percent of the Village’s existing woodlands.”
Rain gardens have also become an important part of the green initiative in Riverwoods, and Koomjian points out that the Village has recently received a matching grant to establish these on some on public and private properties within the Village. He says, “The thrust of this initiative is to explore the use of native plants to soak up excess rainwater, and by doing so, reduce the storm runoff and also improve water quality. The result will both moderate watershed problems and also enhance the natural surroundings.”
Lush surroundings are part of the beauty of each of these three towns. From rain gardens to LED lighting, these Villages have been doing their part to be green and preserve nature, both by setting an example and by continuing to pursue eco-friendly initiatives.
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