Our History

Greener Grove got its start when several local residents took notice of what Downers Grove was doing - and not doing - relative to creating a more sustainable future for our Village. 

In the Fall of 2022, led by Louise Kelly and Carol Richart, a team of neighbors including Julia Coen, Sue Rhodes, Lisa Pocius MD, Jessica Nastal PhD, and Hanna Auza wrote a petition for the Downers Grove  Village Council to join the Greenest Region Compact and to bring back the dormant Environmental Concerns Commission.

In collecting signatures, they met many other residents, who shared their passion for the environment and desire to advance sustainability in our community. 

In January 2023, a group of about 20 people came together for a first meeting of what was then called Environmentally Friendly DG.  The purpose of that meeting was to meet like-minded people,  and brainstorm ways to make an impact on the way our community treats the environment. 

From the first several meetings, Phil Bolton, Steve Ruffolo, and Suzanne Lestina emerged as willing leaders, and together with Louise and Carol formed the first leadership team of the group that would become known as Greener Grove.
 

Our Accomplishments 

In 2023… 

• We partnered with other local groups that shared our mission, including Pierce Downer’s Heritage Alliance (PDHA) and Downers Grove Organic Gardeners Club to begin attending Downers Grove Village Council meetings and events to advocate for sustainability. With our combined efforts, the Village Council agreed to discuss the Greenest Region Compact as an official agenda item.  

• In March, the Village Council unanimously agreed to join the Compact, marking Greener Grove's first major victory.

• Throughout the year, our membership grew to 200+ members through community outreach and education at the Downers Grove Farmers Market, Rotary Grove Fest, and members spreading the word.   

• Those members made their voices heard in urging the Village Council to prioritize sustainability in preparing the Downers Grove 2023-2025 Long-Range Plan. In Fall 2023, these efforts paid off: the final Long-Range Plan includes developing a sustainability plan, committing to hiring a dedicated staffer to drive it, and reinstating the Environmental Concerns Commission to support it.

In 2024, we …

• Became an official 501(c)(3) organization;

• Worked directly with the Village Council on crafting sustainability goals for the Village’s long-range plan; 

• Set up a Sustainability Task Force between the Village Council, Park District, and Greener Grove; 

• Provided 10 monthly educational programs open to the community. This included welcoming DG’s new Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, Jason Michnick and hosting a panel discussion with local environmental leaders, among other hot topics like going solar and composting. 

• Partnered with Cellar Door, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove Organic Gardeners, After Hours Film Society and the Tivoli, Pierce Downer Heritage Alliance, and the DG Park District to host a week of Earth Day events and celebrations. 

While we are very excited and proud of the progress made to date, we are also keen to keep the momentum going!  We hope you will join us and help in making Downers Grove's future greener.