Edwardsville Environmental Commission

The Edwardsville Environmental Commission debuted in January 2024, the outcome of the merger of the Beautification and Tree Commission and the Cool Cities Initiative Advisory Committee. The commission focuses on projects and issues related to the environment and sustainability, and health, preservation and beautification of plants and trees. It is made up of between seven and 11 members, appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council.

The commission’s duties include:
  • Alterations to the arboricultural specifications manual and the Tree Management Plan;
  • Policy concerning selection, planting, maintenance and removal of trees and plants within the city;
  • Funding allocation and expenditure for arboricultural, horticultural, environmental activity;
  • Establishment of educational and informational programs, disseminating information about protection of the environment, the conservation of energy, and the protection, maintenance and improvement of the City’s tree population;
  • Advising City Council on matters relating to sustainability, environmental protection, energy conservation, the City’s natural resources, recycling, and urban forestry;
  • Development of policies and procedures regarding the arborist's duties, with the approval of the Parks & Recreation director and/or Public Works director;
  • Recommendations to the City Council regarding the adoption of LEED building strategies for public development and redevelopment;
  • Advising the City Council on sustainability, urban forestry, native plants, and beautification projects;
  • Administering the Green Cities Challenge;
  • Hearing and determining, by majority vote, all issues of disputes that arise between the city arborist and any such person whenever those issues involve matters of the interpretation or enforcement of the arboricultural specifications manual, the urban forestry plan, or of the interpretation or enforcement of this article, including disputes regarding the issuance of permits.

Meeting Information

Date: Second Wednesday of each month

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: City Hall, 118 Hillsboro Avenue

(Meeting dates, times and locations are subject to change. Confirm meeting details)

Agendas and Minutes

View most recent Edwardsville Environmental Commission agendas and minutes

(Agendas are available prior to meetings. Minutes are available after approval.)

View agendas and minutes of the former Edwardsville Beautification and Tree Commission

View agendas and minutes of the former Cool Cities Initiative Advisory Committee 

Committee Members:

  • Sarah Cundiff, Chair
  • Susan Bautsch
  • Anna Glauber
  • Michael Katich
  • Cara Lytle
  • Stephanie Malench
  • Jan Ruckman
  • Clint Soldan
  • Rachel Thompkins
  • Scott Weber
Ex-officio Members:

Edwardsville Environmental Commission graphic of pollinator garden permitManaged Natural Landscapes & Pollinator Garden Regulations and Permit

Pollinator gardens and natural landscapes can be a beneficial part of the community. They provide a habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and because they are adapted to the local environment often require less maintenance and irrigation. Well-maintained and managed landscape and pollinator plantings also can aid conservation efforts. To encourage native and pollinator plantings, a City ordinance lays out the requirements for these natural areas. The ordinance also ensures that sight lines for drivers remain clear, and incorporates setbacks from property lines.

(This permit application is required to be submitted if two or more violation notices have been issued by the City within the prior 12 months to remove offensive matter or to correct nuisance conditions. There is no charge for a permit, but application is subject to review and approval.)

Edwardsville Environmental Commission graphic of sustainability planEdwardsville Sustainability Plan

In 2021, the City Council approved a Sustainability Plan that offers projects, goals and policies to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations of Edwardsville residents.
Read the Sustainability Plan
Read the Resolution authorizing the Sustainability Plan

Edwardsville Environmental Commission graphic of emerald ash borerEmerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer is a bright metallic-green beetle that may be smaller than a dime, but it is capable of taking down ash trees thousands of times its size. Unfortunately, this beetle is infecting ash trees around Edwardsville. For more information, please go to the Emerald Ash Borer Webpage.

Green Thumb Award logoGreen Thumb Award

The Edwardsville Environmental Commission presents the Green Thumb Award to annually honor projects that beautify Edwardsville through landscaping, flowering and edible gardening efforts. Residential, neighborhood, commercial and civic beautification settings are eligible to be recognized. The awards were created by the City's former Beautification and Tree Commission to encourage projects that foster neighborhood and civic pride.  Award recipients receive a Green Thumb sign to post on their property for one month. Please visit the program's webpage for more information!

Native Plant Resources

Pollinator gardens and native plantings can be a wonderful, environmentally friendly addition to a yard or as a replacement for lawn grasses and non-native plant varieties. If you want to learn more about native plants and the benefits of using them in your landscaping or garden, visit Grow Native!, the education arm of the Missouri Prairie Foundation, a nonprofit advocacy group.

Edwardsville Environmental Commission graphic of pollinator pathwayPollinator Pathway City

In June of 2023, Edwardsville was designated as Illinois' first Pollinator Pathway city. The designation came from the nonprofit Pollinator Pathway group, which supports and promotes efforts to establish continuous areas of pollinator-friendly habitat and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating wildlife. The recognition sprang from the efforts of numerous groups in Edwardsville, and aims to address the declining population of pollinators, such as native bees and monarch butterflies. 

Visit the Pollinator Pathway website to learn about the project, see participating sites in Edwardsville, add your native garden and find resources. Read about the Pollinator Pathway.

Edwardsville Environmental Commission graphic of tree plantingTree Planting Program

The Edwardsville Environmental Commission offers the opportunity for residents to participate in the City's Tree Planting Program. This program enables residents to be reimbursed one-half the cost (up to $100) of purchasing and planting one approved tree each year at their primary place of residence within Edwardsville City limits. Visit the program's webpage for more information.