Keep Carbondale Beautiful initiates, plans, and directs cooperative efforts in litter control, recycling, community beautification, and environmental education.
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been serving the Southern Illinois community since 1987 (initially as "Carbondale Clean & Green") and we are an affiliate of Keep Illinois Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been serving the Southern Illinois community since 1987 (initially as "Carbondale Clean & Green") and we are an affiliate of Keep Illinois Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.
Planting A Park
by Mike Baltz
It’s not every day that you’re present at the creation of a park, right? Parks are usually things that have been there for who know how long and are populated with mature trees. But last week, a couple dozen volunteers planted a park on part of three acres along Route 13 owned by the city of Carbondale. The site is east of the Ashley Furniture Store and directly adjacent west of Pyles Fork Creek. It
was the previous location of an Econo Lodge but is now considered commercially untenable due to flooding issues.
Anne Krippenstapel, Executive Director of Keep Carbondale Beautiful, saw the open space as an opportunity to beautify Carbondale and she did something about it.
Krippenstapel applied for and received a grant from the Illinois Forestry Development Council to plant native trees and wildflowers on the site. I visited the site with Krippenstapel earlier this week, just a few days after the site had been
planted. She explained that a lot of thought had to go into deciding which trees to plant. First and foremost, the trees had to be species native to southern Illinois, but they also had to be species that could handle the poorly drained soils of the site. Of course, the trees also had to be available at a local nursery.
Finally, the trees could not be on the City’s ‘banned tree’ list that includes almost forty species including many native tree species like sycamore, hickory, persimmon, and sweet gum. Krippenstapel explained that placement of trees on the site was also very intentional. Flowering trees including magnolia, flowering dogwood and Eastern redbuds, were planted closer to the road. Less showy trees like oaks, beech, and water tupelo were planted closer to the creek. In addition to trees, there will be a large ‘pollinator garden’ close to the road. And while the trees will take a few years to get big enough to be impressive, the pollinator garden should be a noticeable aspect of the park right away. Krippenstapel was quick to point out that the creation of the park was a group effort. She especially noted the help of Kevin Rohling, University of Illinois Extension, with the writing of the grant for the park. And several people working for the City of Carbondale helped her through the process, up to and including digging the holes for the trees!
I asked Anne if there was a name for the park and she said it might be called the Keep Carbondale Beautiful Park. Personally, I love the idea! A Keep Carbondale Beautiful Park in the middle to town, along busy Route 13 will be a daily, calming reminder to slow down and admire the beauty of southern Illinois. And although the site will never become ‘wilderness’, the birds and butterflies using the site in the years to come won’t care. Neither will the groundhog we watched inspecting the new park during my visit!
by Mike Baltz
It’s not every day that you’re present at the creation of a park, right? Parks are usually things that have been there for who know how long and are populated with mature trees. But last week, a couple dozen volunteers planted a park on part of three acres along Route 13 owned by the city of Carbondale. The site is east of the Ashley Furniture Store and directly adjacent west of Pyles Fork Creek. It
was the previous location of an Econo Lodge but is now considered commercially untenable due to flooding issues.
Anne Krippenstapel, Executive Director of Keep Carbondale Beautiful, saw the open space as an opportunity to beautify Carbondale and she did something about it.
Krippenstapel applied for and received a grant from the Illinois Forestry Development Council to plant native trees and wildflowers on the site. I visited the site with Krippenstapel earlier this week, just a few days after the site had been
planted. She explained that a lot of thought had to go into deciding which trees to plant. First and foremost, the trees had to be species native to southern Illinois, but they also had to be species that could handle the poorly drained soils of the site. Of course, the trees also had to be available at a local nursery.
Finally, the trees could not be on the City’s ‘banned tree’ list that includes almost forty species including many native tree species like sycamore, hickory, persimmon, and sweet gum. Krippenstapel explained that placement of trees on the site was also very intentional. Flowering trees including magnolia, flowering dogwood and Eastern redbuds, were planted closer to the road. Less showy trees like oaks, beech, and water tupelo were planted closer to the creek. In addition to trees, there will be a large ‘pollinator garden’ close to the road. And while the trees will take a few years to get big enough to be impressive, the pollinator garden should be a noticeable aspect of the park right away. Krippenstapel was quick to point out that the creation of the park was a group effort. She especially noted the help of Kevin Rohling, University of Illinois Extension, with the writing of the grant for the park. And several people working for the City of Carbondale helped her through the process, up to and including digging the holes for the trees!
I asked Anne if there was a name for the park and she said it might be called the Keep Carbondale Beautiful Park. Personally, I love the idea! A Keep Carbondale Beautiful Park in the middle to town, along busy Route 13 will be a daily, calming reminder to slow down and admire the beauty of southern Illinois. And although the site will never become ‘wilderness’, the birds and butterflies using the site in the years to come won’t care. Neither will the groundhog we watched inspecting the new park during my visit!
Floodplain Park Tree Planting Day, NOVEMBER 13th!
You have, no doubt, driven by the flat, blank, urban decayed space that is 801and 827 E Main. This site is the location of the Econolodge that was perennially flooded and finally torn down. Keep Carbondale Beautiful intends to renew and beautify the blighted area with a tree planting project. Grant funded, through the Illinois Forestry Development Council, this urban reforestation project will restore this location with selected native, site appropriate trees, and pollinator plants and, eventually, an informational sign, elaborating on the local ecology of Southern Illinois. Volunteers are welcome to join Keep Carbondale Beautiful in tree planting on Saturday, November 13th, 9 a.m. until 2 pm. Tree plantings will be flagged for location in a staggered, grid-like, pattern for ease of mowing and to create a park like atmosphere. Shovels, gloves and all other supplies will be provided. Parking for volunteers is located at the Ashley Furniture warehouse, 715 E Main. The Keep Carbondale Beautiful, Inc., Board works hard to keep Southern Illinois strong. The beauty of our community by means of revitalization of property, new construction, plantings and beautification, upkeep and maintenance, or rehabilitation is our mission. If you would like to contact KCB about concerns or have environmental questions, please call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at 525-5525 or email keepcb1326@gmail.com.
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Do you love Halloween? Do you love Halloween as much as your neighbor at 804 W. Cherry st? Darren Ackerman, a previous Bright Spot award winner, rolled out seasonal decorations early this year, catching the eye of Keep Carbondale Beautiful nomination committee. Ghouls, ghosts’ scarecrows, witches and more! The striking teal green painted house has been adding to the lawn theatrics for the past 7 years. Much of it is homemade. Wine bottles are spray-painted black with melted candles dripped down the side for affect. Ghosts fabricated from mannequin heads covered with fabric. Tall faceless witches made from posts wrapped in bedsheets, tulle and lace are staged around a home created vapor cauldron. “Homemade stuff lasts longer than storebought decorations” Darren states. Adding new The first year, less than 10 trick or treaters visited. In 2019, over 80 showed up Halloween night. For safety, in 2020, gift bags of candy were left out on a table near the sidewalk, and will be again this year. When asked what kind of candy, “what I liked as a kid” Darren laughs,” Chewy things, Snickers, Butterfingers, Starbursts”
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Household Chemical Collection Event
Jackson County Health Department is hosting a free, IEPA sponsored household chemical collection
Where: At the Banterra Center (former SIU Arena), south parking lot on
When: Saturday, June 19.
This event helps safely dispose of old and unwanted household chemicals. Waste can be dropped off at the site on the date of the event between 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. This rain or shine event is open to ALL Illinois residents.
To participate in the event residents MUST:
· Register online at www.RecycleJacksonCounty.org or call 618-684-3143 ext. 128 to schedule an appointment drop-off time;
· Present valid state ID or recent utility bill to enter event.
Please contact Jackson County Health Department at 618-684-3143, ext. 128 for more information, or visit www.RecycleJacksonCounty.org.
Where: At the Banterra Center (former SIU Arena), south parking lot on
When: Saturday, June 19.
This event helps safely dispose of old and unwanted household chemicals. Waste can be dropped off at the site on the date of the event between 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. This rain or shine event is open to ALL Illinois residents.
To participate in the event residents MUST:
· Register online at www.RecycleJacksonCounty.org or call 618-684-3143 ext. 128 to schedule an appointment drop-off time;
· Present valid state ID or recent utility bill to enter event.
Please contact Jackson County Health Department at 618-684-3143, ext. 128 for more information, or visit www.RecycleJacksonCounty.org.
A few shots from our Invasive Species Neighborhood Walk
Invasive Species Neighborhood Walk
KCB is in partnership with FRST, Forest Restoration Strike Team, to combat invasive plant species in town.
We came up with a plan to put out a call to homeowners to send in some pics of the invasive plants taking over and we would select 5 homes (keep it relatively small/not overwhelm ourselves with work) and go out together and treat them.
May is invasive species awareness month, as declared by Pat Quinn.
The idea is to be both a beautification project as well as educational.
This was planned for May 2 (a Sunday) and a rain date for May 15th.
"Invasive Species Neighborhood Walk” is to provide the public with beautification, help out native plants regain their territory and education to interested people who wish to take stewardship of their yards!
Contact us with pictures at keepcb1326@gmail.com
We came up with a plan to put out a call to homeowners to send in some pics of the invasive plants taking over and we would select 5 homes (keep it relatively small/not overwhelm ourselves with work) and go out together and treat them.
May is invasive species awareness month, as declared by Pat Quinn.
The idea is to be both a beautification project as well as educational.
This was planned for May 2 (a Sunday) and a rain date for May 15th.
"Invasive Species Neighborhood Walk” is to provide the public with beautification, help out native plants regain their territory and education to interested people who wish to take stewardship of their yards!
Contact us with pictures at keepcb1326@gmail.com
We will also be participating in the "Give Before You Go" event with the SIU sustainability office.
May 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th (skipping the 9th) 8 a.m. helping to clean Lentz Hall, in tandem with Rotary/and a ministry group.
--- This is to help keep waste out of the landfills ---
If you want to participate or let folks know, please contact Karen S at karens@siu.edu
May 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th (skipping the 9th) 8 a.m. helping to clean Lentz Hall, in tandem with Rotary/and a ministry group.
--- This is to help keep waste out of the landfills ---
If you want to participate or let folks know, please contact Karen S at karens@siu.edu
We are still in the middle of the "30 Day Challenge"to pick up some litter every day for 30 days.
We've had some great volunteers!
Keep up the great work Carbondale!
We've had some great volunteers!
Keep up the great work Carbondale!
SIU SCUBA Team Helps to Keep Carbondale Beautiful
SIU's SCUBA Team organized their own clean-up the other day.
They were able to fill 5 bags while focusing mainly on the water ways.
Way To Go!!!
They were able to fill 5 bags while focusing mainly on the water ways.
Way To Go!!!
Successful Clean-Up Events
Sat March 13th
- SIU cleanup
- meet 9 am to noon at Levels parking lot,
- "KCB Litter Blast Morning" registration is on Saluki volunteer portal.
- Conjunction event with Green Earth, Pyles Fork Cleanup,
- 9 am to noon, meet at Attucks park.
- Event open to the public and SIU students with registration on Saluki Volunteer portal.
Check Out our most recent Bright Spot Award winners!
Grab N Go Litter Clean Up Kits
We have Litter Clean-Up Kits available! Read more about them below:
Instructions; Grab N Go Litter Pick up Kits are available at the screened in porch of Hickory Lodge, 1115 W. Sycamore.
Please do not enter the main building at this time.
Each Kit Contains: Bags/gloves/City Route highlighting high trash areas & parking, as well as the City number to collect orange bags (618.457.3275)
Kits are Labeled by size as Small, Medium or Large
KCB can also provide long handled litter grabbers, we ask volunteers to return them when done with litter clean ups.
Must be requested. Grabbers are labeled with our name and address.
*the hardcore litter-picker-upper may want their own grabber, they are generally available for sale at local hardware stores*
Suggested to follow highlighted route on map.
Always use caution in unknown areas.
Smaller single use shopping bags are included so volunteers can spread out and collect and return to orange bags to dump litter into.
A few extra pairs of gloves are added in case gloves rip while working.
When volunteers are finished please call, 618.457.3275, leave a voice mail where the location of orange bags are (and only within city limits)
Please email/call/text KCB as to where volunteers collected litter/how many bags/hours of volunteerism, we love to know where you went!
Also, tell us about any interesting finds (Money? Winning lottery ticket? Creepy dolls? See any unusual wildlife?)
Take pictures/selfies and post it to our Instagram/FB page, we can also add it to our website!
Large automotive parts/medical waste/appliances, DO NOT HANDLE!
Instead, report them to Keep Carbondale Beautiful or the city.
Instructions; Grab N Go Litter Pick up Kits are available at the screened in porch of Hickory Lodge, 1115 W. Sycamore.
Please do not enter the main building at this time.
Each Kit Contains: Bags/gloves/City Route highlighting high trash areas & parking, as well as the City number to collect orange bags (618.457.3275)
Kits are Labeled by size as Small, Medium or Large
- Small kits: 1-2 volunteers, 2 orange bags, smaller shopping bags, 3 pair gloves
- Medium kits: 3-5 volunteers, 4 orange bags, smaller shopping bags, 7 pair gloves
- Large kits: 6-10 volunteers, 6 orange bags, smaller shopping bags, 12 pair gloves
KCB can also provide long handled litter grabbers, we ask volunteers to return them when done with litter clean ups.
Must be requested. Grabbers are labeled with our name and address.
*the hardcore litter-picker-upper may want their own grabber, they are generally available for sale at local hardware stores*
Suggested to follow highlighted route on map.
Always use caution in unknown areas.
Smaller single use shopping bags are included so volunteers can spread out and collect and return to orange bags to dump litter into.
A few extra pairs of gloves are added in case gloves rip while working.
When volunteers are finished please call, 618.457.3275, leave a voice mail where the location of orange bags are (and only within city limits)
Please email/call/text KCB as to where volunteers collected litter/how many bags/hours of volunteerism, we love to know where you went!
Also, tell us about any interesting finds (Money? Winning lottery ticket? Creepy dolls? See any unusual wildlife?)
Take pictures/selfies and post it to our Instagram/FB page, we can also add it to our website!
Large automotive parts/medical waste/appliances, DO NOT HANDLE!
Instead, report them to Keep Carbondale Beautiful or the city.
Our MLK Jr. Day Clean-Up Event was a HUGE SUCCESS!!!
Thanks EVERYONE who came out and helped us clean up on this beautiful Martin Luther King Jr. day.
While this event was geared towards SIU students, ANYONE could AND DID come out and join the collection effort.
Just look at how much we gathered in just a single sunny morning, WOW!
You all went above and beyond to Keep Carbondale Beautiful.
While this event was geared towards SIU students, ANYONE could AND DID come out and join the collection effort.
Just look at how much we gathered in just a single sunny morning, WOW!
You all went above and beyond to Keep Carbondale Beautiful.
Official Release: On January 23rd, the Saturday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day, students and community members will carry out the annual litter clean-up day at Attucks Park, located 800 N. Wall St. This 15 year long tradition will convene at 9 a.m. and will operate until noon. Student Volunteers will fill out waivers issued by student coordinators that also serve as verification of work performed. Community members are encouraged to participate in this locally environmentally beneficial event. Orange litter bags, disposable gloves and litter grabbers will be available on site for the clean-up. Social distancing and mask wearing will be observed as recommended by CDC official guidelines.
New Year Trash Hike
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Help us ring in the New Year by picking up some litter and maybe spotting some local bird life.
WHAT: Keep Carbondale Beautiful is hosting a Trash Hike event along with local ornithologist Mike Baltz.
WHERE: We'll be meeting up at the Arnold's Market parking lot
WHEN: We plan to head out around 9am, and go until 12 or 12:30
The area to be beautified is along RT 51 between The Reserves apartments to the Dollar General.
The area has been recently mowed and Mike will be helping with not only litter spotting, but bird spotting as well!
KCB will provide gloves, vests, grabbers, and bags.
We hope to see you there!
WHAT: Keep Carbondale Beautiful is hosting a Trash Hike event along with local ornithologist Mike Baltz.
WHERE: We'll be meeting up at the Arnold's Market parking lot
WHEN: We plan to head out around 9am, and go until 12 or 12:30
The area to be beautified is along RT 51 between The Reserves apartments to the Dollar General.
The area has been recently mowed and Mike will be helping with not only litter spotting, but bird spotting as well!
KCB will provide gloves, vests, grabbers, and bags.
We hope to see you there!
Our Executive Director, Anne Krippenstapel, has been interviewed again.
This time by Mike Baltz for his regular Southern Illinoisan section, Real Green People.
Thanks Mike, for shining a spotlight on beautiful natural spaces in and around Carbondale
and the people that help to keep them that way!
Check it out at the link below!
https://thesouthern.com/news/local/environment/real-green-people-keep-carbondale-beautiful-director-anne-krippenstapel/article_8d6712fb-4386-5a39-b088-771171945889.html
America Recycles Day (Nov 15) has come and gone, but we still wanted to reiterate the issue of single use plastics.
Single Use Plastics are generally only used ONE TIME.
This is horrible for the environment these single use plastics will be filling up landfills and the bellies of wild animals for years.
Single Use Plastics are generally only used ONE TIME.
This is horrible for the environment these single use plastics will be filling up landfills and the bellies of wild animals for years.
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These are all examples of single use plastics.
We know that single use plastics are bad, but they're not going to go away anytime soon, so how can YOU help when it comes to single use plastics?
Any kids, or adults that want to learn and have a little fun, can click here to play an informative "Super Sorter" browser-based, recycling game!
Knowing more about how plastics affect our environments and communities is a big first step towards helping.
Let's all do our part to Keep Carbondale Beautiful.
- Always pack a reusable bag when shopping. (And yes—reusable totes are better for the environment than plastics, recent media claims aside.)
- Cook more often, to reduce your use of plastic-heavy takeout containers.
- Buy in bulk. Avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs.
- Though buying online sometimes has a lower carbon footprint than shopping in a store (skip the express delivery option, if you can), online shipments are still chock-full of plastic. Your best bet to reduce your footprint and plastic waste? Walk, bike, or take public transit to buy in-person.
- Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option.
- Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go.
- Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. Ask if they have nonplastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags.
- Speak out in support of local plastic bans, whether by calling your local government representative, submitting an op-ed to your city’s newspaper, or simply starting conversations with neighbors.
- Let companies that make your favorite products know that you care about the packaging. Tweet, call, or send letters to these companies to ask them to switch to more durable, recyclable, compostable, renewable, and/or recycled-content packaging with less fossil fuel–derived plastic.
Any kids, or adults that want to learn and have a little fun, can click here to play an informative "Super Sorter" browser-based, recycling game!
Knowing more about how plastics affect our environments and communities is a big first step towards helping.
Let's all do our part to Keep Carbondale Beautiful.
Recently, our Executive Director, Anne Krippenstapel,
was interviewed by Alee Quick of the Southern Illinoisan,
it appears in their free Life & Style magazine.
thesouthern.com/lifestyles/magazine/21-questions-getting-to-know-anne-krippenstapel-executive-director-of-keep-carbondale-beautiful/article_9d781f5b-35de-5a4b-9759-c66cf2b91ea7.html
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THANK YOU,
CARBONDALE!! for meeting Keep Carbondale Beautiful’s 30-Day Challenge. We heard from the following folks who reported on their group’s cleanup efforts. Liz, Brian, Sarah, Lee, Mike, Rockette, Trina, Dorcy, Clare, Bobbie, Carrie, Mark, Jerry, Darren, Greg, Richard, Fran, Dan, Beth, Jessica : |
 Every little bit helps.
The KCB Challenge
Keep Carbondale Beautiful thanks all those in the Carbondale community who participated in their 30-Day Challenge. Nearly 50 people reported that they had been out and picking up litter, and most said that they are doing it on a regular basis. Estimates are that hundreds of hours were put in. “But more importantly,” according to Executive Director Anne Krippenstapel, “the community came together. I am heartened by the stewardship of our citizens.” Some people were out every day, especially if walking a dog. Sunny warm days saw more participation, as recorded on Keep Carbondale Beautiful’s Facebook page. Sponsors of the30-Day Challenge cleanup include Burris Disposal, CIMCO Recycling, and Southern Recycling. KCB also gets critical funding from the City of Carbondale. All participants are eligible to receive a T-shirt or a tote-bag. Contact Anne Krippenstapel for more information: 618-525-3075 or keepcb1326@gmail.com. |
Get Involved
If you've ever asked yourself: Where do I recycle in or around Carbondale? How can I clean up my local neighborhood? What can I do to be more environmentally friendly? On this website, you will find information on our programs, ways you can help the local environment, useful links, and much more.
There are a number of ways you can help keep Carbondale beautiful:
Look for upcoming volunteer opportunities on the Calendar of Events
Learn more about student internship opportunities
Become a member
Serve on the board of directors
Check out our Help Wanted list for ideas
No time? Financial support is also involvement! Contribute here
Announcements
We expect by September we'll be able to make the trip to Forrest Keeling Nursery. Please check out the Tree Sale page and think about planting trees in the fall.
Carbondale uses See Click Fix so that citizens can report a concern, or see what issues have been reported and what's being done. You can also download the SeeClickFix app to your phone. Please help raise awareness about this wonderful addition to a responsive and transparent city hall.
Partnerships
We take our mission seriously, but interpret it broadly to include other aspects of community greening and – as Keep America Beautiful puts it – building vibrant communities. So we partner with other groups, such as
- Built Environment Action Team to promote walkable and bikeable streets
- City of Carbondale to educate the public on recycling
- Illinois Native Plant Society, and U of I Extension to create guidelines for property owners wanting to create native habitat
- Illinois Master Naturalists to develop Champion Tree Contest
- Jackson County Healthy Communities Coalition in their grant
- Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts on environmental programming
- The Science Center to plan special exhibits
- ... and more to come, with your support.
