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.
The Inaugural Legacy Bright Spot Award to 601 W. Walnut
The Legacy Bright Spot award is an award given by Keep Carbondale
Beautiful to recognize previous recipients of the Bright Spot award. This
recognition is intended to encourage and maintain long term care and
stewardship to the local environment of Carbondale. One of the missions of
Keep Carbondale Beautiful is to preserve and maintain the local natural
beauty of Southern Illinois.
The inaugural Legacy Bright Spot award winner is kicking off with
601 W. Walnut. Kathy Kathie and Austin Rigney recall receiving the Bright
Spot award in July of 2004. Kathie laughs, telling what she remembers.
“It was nice to be recognized.” The home was built in 1917 and has been
added on to over the years. They moved to the residence in 1998. Preparing
for a growing family, Kathy began gardening in the front yard. In this
nesting garden, irises, spiderwort and Pocomoke crape myrtle were planted.
The oldest surviving plants are Jerusalem roses, over 20 years old.
The May 8 th storm shifted their yard around, an 80 ft oak lodged in
their attic. Getting the tree out, “we were entertainment for the whole
neighborhood” Kathie recounts. After that, they had the bug for reorganizing
the landscape. A white blooming redbud survived the storm,
casting its canopy over hydrangeas and boxwoods lining the front of the
home. A Japanese maple shades a horseshoe shaped garden with English ivy
and ferns. Around the side of the home is an oasis from the busy city street,
birdfeeders are set among a variety of herbs and large hostas.
Beautiful to recognize previous recipients of the Bright Spot award. This
recognition is intended to encourage and maintain long term care and
stewardship to the local environment of Carbondale. One of the missions of
Keep Carbondale Beautiful is to preserve and maintain the local natural
beauty of Southern Illinois.
The inaugural Legacy Bright Spot award winner is kicking off with
601 W. Walnut. Kathy Kathie and Austin Rigney recall receiving the Bright
Spot award in July of 2004. Kathie laughs, telling what she remembers.
“It was nice to be recognized.” The home was built in 1917 and has been
added on to over the years. They moved to the residence in 1998. Preparing
for a growing family, Kathy began gardening in the front yard. In this
nesting garden, irises, spiderwort and Pocomoke crape myrtle were planted.
The oldest surviving plants are Jerusalem roses, over 20 years old.
The May 8 th storm shifted their yard around, an 80 ft oak lodged in
their attic. Getting the tree out, “we were entertainment for the whole
neighborhood” Kathie recounts. After that, they had the bug for reorganizing
the landscape. A white blooming redbud survived the storm,
casting its canopy over hydrangeas and boxwoods lining the front of the
home. A Japanese maple shades a horseshoe shaped garden with English ivy
and ferns. Around the side of the home is an oasis from the busy city street,
birdfeeders are set among a variety of herbs and large hostas.
Fall Tree Sale Update
This is the list for our Fall Tree Sale, preorders are recommended as the availability of some species may change without notice.
The sale will be Saturday, October 2nd, from 9am until 2pm at the Town Square Pavilion (Rain or Shine)
All Sales Are Final, No Exchanges Or Returns
* - Preorder Price of $30 (day of price will be $35) Shrubs 25$
** - Available by Special Order Only
Email Keep Carbondale Beautiful to Preorder your Plants Today!!!
The sale will be Saturday, October 2nd, from 9am until 2pm at the Town Square Pavilion (Rain or Shine)
All Sales Are Final, No Exchanges Or Returns
* - Preorder Price of $30 (day of price will be $35) Shrubs 25$
** - Available by Special Order Only
Email Keep Carbondale Beautiful to Preorder your Plants Today!!!
|
Aesculus flava - Yellow Buckeye - $35.00*
Aesculus glabra - Ohio Buckeye - $35.00* Aesculus parvifolia - Bottle brush Buckeye - $25.00 Aesculus pavia - Red buckeye - $35.00* Amelanchier arborea - service berry - $35.00* Amorpha fruticosa - false indigo bush - $25* Aronia melanocarpa 'Viking' - Black Chokeberry - $25.00 Assimina TrilobaPawpaw - $35.00* Betula alleghaniensis - Swamp Birch - $35.00* Betula lenta - Sweet birch - $35.00* Callicarpa americana - Beauty Berry - $25* Carpinus caroliniana - American hornbeam - $35.00* Carya glabra - Pignut Hickory - OUT OF STOCK Carya illinoinensis - Pecan - $35.00* Castanea dentata - American chestnut - $35.00* Catalpa speciosa - catalpa - $35.00* Ceanothus americanus/New jersey tea $25* Cephalanthus occidentalis - Button Bush - $25.00 Chionanthus virginicus - White fringetree - $35.00* Cornus alternifolia - Pagoda Dogwood - OUT OF STOCK Cornus amomum - Silky dogwood - $35.00* Cornus drummondii - roughleaf dogwood - $35.00* Cornus florida - Flowering Dogwood - OUT OF STOCK Corylus americana - American hazlenut - $25.00** Gleditsia triaacanthos F. inermis 'Skyline' - Honeylocust - $35.00* Halesia carolina - carolina silverbell - $35.00* Hamamelis virginiana - Witch hazel - $25.00 Hydrangea arborescens - Smooth Hydrangea - $25.00 Hydrangea quercifolia - Oakleaf Hydrangea - $25.00 Ilex decidua 'Female' - Possum haw - $25.00 Ilex glabra compacta - Inkberry - $25.00 Ilex verticillata - winterberry - $30.00 Ilex verticillata 'Southern Gentleman' - winterberry - $25.00 Lindera benzoin - Spicebush - OUT OF STOCK Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum - $35.00 Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip popular - $35.00** Ostrya virginiana - American Hophornbeam - $35.00* Physocarpus opulifolius - Common ninebark - $25.00 Prunus americana - American Plum - $35.00 Prunus angustifolia - Chicasaw plum - $35.00* Prunus serotina - Wild black cherry - $35.00* Rhus aromatica - Fragrant sumac - $35.00* Rhus copallina - Winged Sumac - $35.00* Rhus glabra - smooth Sumac - $35.00* Rhus typhina - Staghorn Sumac - $35.00* Sambucus canadensis - elderberry - $25.00 Symphoricarpos albus - Snowberry - $25.00 Symphoricarpos orbiculatus - coralberry - $25.00 Tilia americana - Basswood - $35.00* Tilia americana var 'Redmond' - American Linden - $35.00* Vaccinium 'Bluecrop' - Highbush Blueberry - $30.00 Vaccinium 'Blueray' - Highbush Blueberry - $30.00 Vaccinium 'Jersey' - Highbush Blueberry - $30.00 Viburnum dentatum - Arrowwood viburnum - $30.00 Viburnum lentago - Nannyberry - $30.00 Viburnum prunifolium - blackhaw - $OUT OF STOCK Viburnum trilobum - Cranberry bush - $30.00 |
Acer rubrum - Red Maple - $35.00* Acer sachurum - Sugar Maple - $35.00* Aesculus parviflora - Bottlebrush Buckeye - $35.00* Carya illinoisensis - Pecan - $35.00* Catalpa speciosa - Northern Catalpa - $35.00* Celtis occidentalis - Hackberry - $35.00* Cephalanthus occidentalis - Buttonbush - $25.00 Cercis canadensis - Redbud - $35.00* Cornus florida 'Cherokee Brave' - Cherokee Dogwood(pink) - $80.00 Cotinus obovatus Multi-Stem - American Smoketree - $35.00* Diospyrus virginiana - Persimmon - $35.00* Fagus grandifolia - American Beech - $80.00 Gymnocladus dioicus - Kentucky Coffeetree - $35.00* Ilex opaca - American Holly - $35.00* Ilex x attenuata - Foster Holly - $35.00* Lagerstromia faureii 'Sarah's Favorite' - Crape Myrtle - $35.00* Lagerstromia indica 'Tuscarora' - Crape Myrtle - $35.00* maclura pomifera - Osage Orange - $35.00* Magnolia accuminata 'Butterflies' - Butterflies Mag - $60.00 Magnolia ashei - Ashei Magnolia - $40.00 Magnolia macrophylla - Big Leaf Magnolia - $40.00 Magnolia stellata 'Pink Stardust' - Pink Stardust Magnolia - $60.00 Magnolia tripetela - Umbrella Magnolia - $40.00 Magnolia x 'Daybreak' - Daybreak Mag - $60.00 Magnolia x 'Jane' - Jane Magnolia - $30.00 Magnolia x 'Jane' - Jane Magnolia - $60.00 Magnolia x 'Judy Zuk' - Judy Zuk Mag - $60.00 Metasequoia glyptostroboides - Dawn Redwood - $35.00* morus rubra-Red mulberry-35.00 Nyssa sylvatica - Black Gum - $35.00* Pinus echinata - Short Leaf Pine - $35.00* Quercus alba - White Oak - $35.00* Quercus bicolor - Swamp White Oak - $35.00* Quercus buckleyi - Buckley Oak - $35.00* Quercus falcata pagodafolia - Cherrybark Oak - $35.00* Quercus lyrata - Overcup Oak - $35.00* Quercus macrocarpa - Bur Oak - $35.00* Quercus muehlenbergii - Chinkapin Oak - $35.00* Quercus phellos - Willow Oak - $35.00* Quercus rubra - Northern Red Oak - $35.00* Quercus shumardii - Shumard Oak - $35.00* Quercus x bimundorum 'Tabor' - Forest Knight Oak - $80.00 Taxodium distichum - Bald Cypress - $35.00* Thuja plicata 'Green Giant' - Green Giant Arborvitae - $35.00* x Gordlinia grandiflora - Mountain Gordlinia(Hybrid Franklin Tree) - $35.00* |
Lovely, Low Lit Lawn, 512 W. Oak, Wins Residential Bright Spot Award.
August’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful residential Bright Spot award recipient goes to 512 Oak St. Long time Carbondale resident Sara Murphy has been tending to the space for 3 years. Much of the recent development has been a product of 18 months of quarantine and few things to do on the weekends, and “plenty, plenty, plenty of yard” Sara laughs recounting.
The biggest challenge is shade. Many of the trees are mature and were likely planted when the house was built in the 1930s. The stately trees casting dimness do not slow down Sara. Many purple and indigo plants do well in the dappled light. Ten different color varieties of hostas wrap around the side of the home along the old brick pathway. Purple plantain lilies rise above the hostas. Deep ruby oxalis shamrock, burgundy coralbells and striking magenta coleus plants are all thriving, colorful, blooms against an easy, low lit backdrop. In the midrange of this landscape are draping, broad leafed elephant ear plants, adding an outsized geometric feature to the space. Sea green ferns hang in lush masses, unhurried, awaiting visitors on the front porch.
The dreamy quality of the yard is further directed by tiny fairy doors at the foot of many trees, welcoming a magical atmosphere for ethereal beings. A good stopover for hummingbirds, several feeders wait to nourish the tiny iridescent birds. Enjoying the yard at night, solar lights are strung up through the lower branches of trees around the home. Tranquil space here feels miles away from city life.
The biggest challenge is shade. Many of the trees are mature and were likely planted when the house was built in the 1930s. The stately trees casting dimness do not slow down Sara. Many purple and indigo plants do well in the dappled light. Ten different color varieties of hostas wrap around the side of the home along the old brick pathway. Purple plantain lilies rise above the hostas. Deep ruby oxalis shamrock, burgundy coralbells and striking magenta coleus plants are all thriving, colorful, blooms against an easy, low lit backdrop. In the midrange of this landscape are draping, broad leafed elephant ear plants, adding an outsized geometric feature to the space. Sea green ferns hang in lush masses, unhurried, awaiting visitors on the front porch.
The dreamy quality of the yard is further directed by tiny fairy doors at the foot of many trees, welcoming a magical atmosphere for ethereal beings. A good stopover for hummingbirds, several feeders wait to nourish the tiny iridescent birds. Enjoying the yard at night, solar lights are strung up through the lower branches of trees around the home. Tranquil space here feels miles away from city life.
Community Kids Korner Garden Wins Business Bright Spot Award
August’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful Business Bright Spot award recipient
goes to Kids Korner, located 101 N Glenview Drive. Specifically the garden
caught the eye of many locals and had an interesting journey to the present.
Superintendent of Children and Director Katy Burns started the garden in a small
side corner of the front of the building. It was an auspicious beginning, starting
plants from seeds with kids and needing a place to grow those little plants.
“Growing food is important and teaching kids where our food comes from is so
valuable” Katy states. In a short 3 years, the blank grass strip in front of the
building has turned into an interagency, intergenerational, collaborative sustenance
education project.
As this outdoor classroom grew, a grant by Illinois Association of Parks
Districts called “Powerplay”, centered on health, nutrition and fitness, was
awarded to the Carbondale Parks District to guy the garden tools and equipment.
The U of I Extension and the Master Gardeners of Jackson co got involved to
support the day to day needs of the garden, which frees up time for the instructors
at Kids Korner. This partnership with U of I Extension donates to local food
pantries. Some of the produce stays at Kids Korner, some goes to Good Samaritan
House and local church donation sites.
Raised box bed gardens host a wide variety of vegetables and herbs.
Towering colorful heirloom tomato plants, verdant pepper and fragrant basil
sprawl all over the box maze garden that is indisputably bringing childhood magic
and memories to the children attending Kids Korner. Katy recounts a favorable
part of the garden, “hearing parents say, they don’t eat vegetables at home, and
then watching a kid pick a tomato off a plant is really fulfilling as an educator”
goes to Kids Korner, located 101 N Glenview Drive. Specifically the garden
caught the eye of many locals and had an interesting journey to the present.
Superintendent of Children and Director Katy Burns started the garden in a small
side corner of the front of the building. It was an auspicious beginning, starting
plants from seeds with kids and needing a place to grow those little plants.
“Growing food is important and teaching kids where our food comes from is so
valuable” Katy states. In a short 3 years, the blank grass strip in front of the
building has turned into an interagency, intergenerational, collaborative sustenance
education project.
As this outdoor classroom grew, a grant by Illinois Association of Parks
Districts called “Powerplay”, centered on health, nutrition and fitness, was
awarded to the Carbondale Parks District to guy the garden tools and equipment.
The U of I Extension and the Master Gardeners of Jackson co got involved to
support the day to day needs of the garden, which frees up time for the instructors
at Kids Korner. This partnership with U of I Extension donates to local food
pantries. Some of the produce stays at Kids Korner, some goes to Good Samaritan
House and local church donation sites.
Raised box bed gardens host a wide variety of vegetables and herbs.
Towering colorful heirloom tomato plants, verdant pepper and fragrant basil
sprawl all over the box maze garden that is indisputably bringing childhood magic
and memories to the children attending Kids Korner. Katy recounts a favorable
part of the garden, “hearing parents say, they don’t eat vegetables at home, and
then watching a kid pick a tomato off a plant is really fulfilling as an educator”
Fall Plant Sale
Our Fall Native Plant Sale will be held Saturday, October 2nd, 2021 at the Town Square Pavilion in Carbondale from 8am to 2pm.
It will be held in collaboration with Green Earth.
More details will be posted.
It will be held in collaboration with Green Earth.
More details will be posted.
Mike Baltz's New Article on Fighting Invasive Species
(from the Carbondale Times)
Alien Invasion
I’ve worked over the years to create a little Homegrown Park on the little bit of land in front of
and behind my house. I’ve transplanted native trees and flowering plants and let parts of my
front and backyards just grow wild.
My goal is to have less lawn to mow every year until I can essentially retire my mower.
In order to get an idea of the plant diversity in my Park, I asked botanist Chris Benda to do a
quick plant inventory of my front and back yards. And in less than an hour, Chris identified over
100 plant species, including 26 different kinds of trees.
Some of the native tree species in my Park include Tulip Poplar, Bald Cypress, Dogwood, Sweet
Gum, Eastern Redbud, Green Ash, and Sugar Maple. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I
also had some little persimmon trees trying to get above the browse-line of the white-tail deer
that are common visitors in my Park.
But in addition to many cool native species, 30% of the plant species that Chris identified were
nonnatives.
By definition, non-native species are just organisms that don’t occur naturally in an area. So, the
short-leaf pine trees that I have transplanted are technically non-native because Southern Illinois
is just beyond their range.
Common dandelions and white clover are also nonnative species. They are native to Europe,
were introduced by settlers as food and forage, and only occur in disturbed areas, like fields and
lawns.
Some non-native species, however, merit the term ‘invasive’. Invasive species are a problem
because they can prevent or hinder the survival of other native species in an ecosystem.
The worst invasive plant species can literally take-over habitats. For example, Garlic mustard, an
invasive species in Southern Illinois, spreads quickly on the forest floor and exudes chemicals
that prevent other native plant species from growing around it.
Unfortunately, I have several nasty invasive species in my Park including Oriental Bittersweet,
Bush Honeysuckle, and Japanese Stiltgrass. These three species especially can become problems
in our Southern Illinois oak forest ecosystems.
Because controlling invasive species often requires the application of herbicide, it is ideal to
have professional help when addressing an invasive species problem, and thankfully, Keep
Carbondale Beautiful and the local Forest Resource Support Team (FRST) have recently
partnered to begin helping private landowners with invasive species problems.
Anne Krippenstapel, executive director of Keep Carbondale Beautiful, says, “I see many private
properties that are sanctuaries for invasive species that then infest wild public lands. If we can do
something within the city limits, a little bit of work, and a lot of education, maybe we can reduce
the threat to public lands.”
Krippenstapel, Isaiah Tanner (FRST coordinator), and two volunteers were able to come by my
house on July 30 as part of a recent ‘invasive roundup’, that included two other private properties
in the Carbondale area.
The group made quick work of some bush honeysuckle, using a small chainsaw on some of the
bigger shrubs. They also applied a foliar spray to a couple patches of stiltgrass and bittersweet.
In return for their work, I provided the group with two blackberry custard pies!
While my invasive species problem isn’t going away, thanks to Keep Carbondale Beautiful and
FRST, we addressed some of the worst offenders and I learned a lot about how to be a better
steward of my Homegrown Park.
(Visit KeepCB.org and FRSTIllionois.com for more information about these groups. For more
information about invasive species in Southern Illinois visit the River-to-River Cooperative
Weed Management Area website, rtrcwma.org)
Successful Community Cleanup Saturday Aug. 14th!!!
Great Job out there Everybody!
A big thanks to all the lovely folks who showed up to clean up!!!
A big thanks to all the lovely folks who showed up to clean up!!!
Creative Planter Garden Wins July Bright Spot Award
July’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful Bright Spot award recipient goes to 208 S. Emerald St. Rick Crossley, moved in to the residence and transformed the yard in one years’ time. Working from home full time, he manages a resourceful outlet in landscaping such an enjoyable space. Starting at the mailbox by the street, ringed around colorful flowers. Along the drive up to the front door, a curvy, rock bordered, “French pebble drain” helps direct water flow from the home elegantly. Framing the doorway, top to bottom, is a small, lush jungle of potted plants. Outdoor furniture are also reclaimed finds that have been repaired and brightly spray painted into new life. All the planters were procured through estate sales and reclaimed side of the road finds.
Rick articulates, “I want it to look like a million dollars when it costs nothing at all to make it beautiful. This is my creative outlet”. Rick also mentions he is part of local Facebook community plant groups and has obtained a few great finds on that platform. The plants are impressively cared for, one such example, a sansevieria, or also known as, mother-in-law’s tongue, is over 30 years old. Notably, Rick mentions during the growing season, he uses fish fertilizer every 19 days. All the potted plants are stored indoors during the dormant season.
Wrapping around the home, red volcano rock edges an eclectic mix of plant holders and pedestals. These hold aloft the variety of geometric vegetation. Small found object statuary and trickling fountains are centerpieces along the playful row in the front yard. The balance and color of the display is skillfully apparent.
Rick articulates, “I want it to look like a million dollars when it costs nothing at all to make it beautiful. This is my creative outlet”. Rick also mentions he is part of local Facebook community plant groups and has obtained a few great finds on that platform. The plants are impressively cared for, one such example, a sansevieria, or also known as, mother-in-law’s tongue, is over 30 years old. Notably, Rick mentions during the growing season, he uses fish fertilizer every 19 days. All the potted plants are stored indoors during the dormant season.
Wrapping around the home, red volcano rock edges an eclectic mix of plant holders and pedestals. These hold aloft the variety of geometric vegetation. Small found object statuary and trickling fountains are centerpieces along the playful row in the front yard. The balance and color of the display is skillfully apparent.
Baker Family Dentistry Wins Business Bright Spot Award
July’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful business Bright Spot award recipient goes to Baker Family Dentistry, located 305 S. Oakland Ave. Doug Baker, owner and head dentist gave his business a facelift to the building and the landscaping during 2020. A family project, his wife and daughter did the landscaping and painting, his son and a friend worked with contractor Mark Gindlesparger of Murphysboro for remodeling. Redwood panels on the outside were torn down but repurposed and gifted to local artists.
Desiring to keep the original architectural design, but create a sleek and updated look, the small wooden deck was redone into a larger concrete deck with ramp walkup. The sculptural railing forged by Murphysboro metalsmith, John Medwedeff, greets guests with a fun and whimsical design. Thoughtfully placed, a bubbling fountain adds a calming effect before entering the dentist office. An Asian inspired bubble rock garden with a Japanese maple tree and butterfly bush round out the front visitor area.
“It is a good spot and central location. I like this friendly neighborhood”, Doug states. He and his business have been at this site since 2007. His investment in the local community resulted in cleaning a fair amount of litter out of the surrounding area and replanting holly trees. Various bird and small wildlife feeders are maintained along with flowering rose bushes for pollinators. The overall effect resulted in an easier managed space and revitalizes the immediate neighborhood.
Desiring to keep the original architectural design, but create a sleek and updated look, the small wooden deck was redone into a larger concrete deck with ramp walkup. The sculptural railing forged by Murphysboro metalsmith, John Medwedeff, greets guests with a fun and whimsical design. Thoughtfully placed, a bubbling fountain adds a calming effect before entering the dentist office. An Asian inspired bubble rock garden with a Japanese maple tree and butterfly bush round out the front visitor area.
“It is a good spot and central location. I like this friendly neighborhood”, Doug states. He and his business have been at this site since 2007. His investment in the local community resulted in cleaning a fair amount of litter out of the surrounding area and replanting holly trees. Various bird and small wildlife feeders are maintained along with flowering rose bushes for pollinators. The overall effect resulted in an easier managed space and revitalizes the immediate neighborhood.
SIU Football Team Helps Keep Evergreen Clean
Our local Salukis were out this last Saturday to help clean up Evergreen Park.
We love all our volunteers for showing up and putting in the time to Keep Carbondale Beautiful!
Go TEAM!!!
We love all our volunteers for showing up and putting in the time to Keep Carbondale Beautiful!
Go TEAM!!!
Restored Historic Home Wins June Bright Spot
509 Main St. has likely caught your eye driving west through Carbondale. It has certainly caught the attention of Keep Carbondale Beautiful. The Mize-Ashley family came together and made it a restoration project. Initially, neighbors were concerned with the building maintaining its integrity, but it became quickly apparent the renovation was staying as true to the historic original as much as possible. This five year long project involved restoring original hardwood floors and reusing bricks to reestablish other structures within the home. “The ceilings were falling down in the house” recounts Jaye Mize. While working through the architecture, the family found old newspapers from 1918-1919, boxes of photos from previous families and old coins. The striking sky and royal blue with white trim were very close to time period specific colors researched for the 1870’s era.
Outside, the front hosts beautiful landscaping thoughtfully arranged to compliment the colors and design. Large white planter pots hosts a bouquet of purple and white petunias. Wrapping around the front, are matching bricks, painted royal blue, trimming green striped hostas and crème lilies. A small white Crepe Myrtle tree was recently planted out front, to herald in, and oversee, the next chapter of this historic home’s new life.
If you would like to nominate a business or residence to receive the Award, please call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at 525-5525 or e-mail BrightSpotAward@gmail.com.
Outside, the front hosts beautiful landscaping thoughtfully arranged to compliment the colors and design. Large white planter pots hosts a bouquet of purple and white petunias. Wrapping around the front, are matching bricks, painted royal blue, trimming green striped hostas and crème lilies. A small white Crepe Myrtle tree was recently planted out front, to herald in, and oversee, the next chapter of this historic home’s new life.
If you would like to nominate a business or residence to receive the Award, please call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at 525-5525 or e-mail BrightSpotAward@gmail.com.
Historic Mural Wins Commercial Bright Spot Award
Gail and Linda White are the proud recipients of the Keep Carbondale Beautiful Commercial Bright Spot award. The east facing brick wall, right around the corner of Town Square Market, on N. Washington St, is a superb layer collage of graphics. Previously, fragments of faded paint still clung to the wall for years as upgrades to the building were being made. Expert repair masonry prepared the wall for the final design.
Mural artist Christine Brunk DeShazo was employed to make the dream come true. Met in 2019, Gail, Linda and Christine pieced together historical photographs of the building’s past. Vintage fonts and art styles were diligently researched for an amalgamation of layers. Various names, like “Siebert” was the name of the drugstore and building from the 1920’s to the 1950’s. Old commercial art articulates the industry of the day. The brick warehouse building next door was a Coca-Cola bottling warehouse for many years before closure. The weathered texture is preserved and honored while being hand drawn/painted as close to the original as possible. A collection of 80 hours paint time in 2 full weeks, the beauty of the past is vibrant again along N. Washington St.
If you would like to nominate a business or residence to receive the Award, please call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at 525-5525 or e-mail BrightSpotAward@gmail.com. Archives of some past Bright Spot Award winners may be found at keepcb.org.
Mural artist Christine Brunk DeShazo was employed to make the dream come true. Met in 2019, Gail, Linda and Christine pieced together historical photographs of the building’s past. Vintage fonts and art styles were diligently researched for an amalgamation of layers. Various names, like “Siebert” was the name of the drugstore and building from the 1920’s to the 1950’s. Old commercial art articulates the industry of the day. The brick warehouse building next door was a Coca-Cola bottling warehouse for many years before closure. The weathered texture is preserved and honored while being hand drawn/painted as close to the original as possible. A collection of 80 hours paint time in 2 full weeks, the beauty of the past is vibrant again along N. Washington St.
If you would like to nominate a business or residence to receive the Award, please call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at 525-5525 or e-mail BrightSpotAward@gmail.com. Archives of some past Bright Spot Award winners may be found at keepcb.org.
May Bright Spot
May’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful Bright Spot award recipient goes to 613 Skyline rd. Linda Ward has been tending this home and garden since 1978 when she and her husband moved to the area. Now retired, Linda participates in the
Evergreen Garden Club. Many of the flowers have been sourced from friends in the club. She smiles and says, “when the flowers bloom, I think of them.” The eye-catching variety of colorful irises initially caught the attention of the community, but many more blooming flowers and plants round out the beautiful array. A towering pin oak shades the west facing front yard and deck. Linda chuckles, “That was just a small guy when I moved here.” Landscaped around the front are small cacti, purple spiderwort, columbine and snap dragons. Threading up the deck and bird feeders are the magenta and orange native honey suckle vines,
rising just above pink azaleas. During the afternoons, hummingbirds are seen to frequent the area for nourishment. The flower garden is rounded out with red common roses and hydrangeas.
The Keep Carbondale Beautiful, Inc., Board selects businesses or residences to receive the Bright Spot Award for enhancing the beauty of our community by means of revitalization of property, new construction, plantings and beautification, upkeep and maintenance, or rehabilitation.
If you would like to nominate a business or residence to receive the Award, please call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at 525-5525 or email keepcb1326@gmail.com. Archives of some past Bright Spot Award winners may be found at keepcb.org.
Evergreen Garden Club. Many of the flowers have been sourced from friends in the club. She smiles and says, “when the flowers bloom, I think of them.” The eye-catching variety of colorful irises initially caught the attention of the community, but many more blooming flowers and plants round out the beautiful array. A towering pin oak shades the west facing front yard and deck. Linda chuckles, “That was just a small guy when I moved here.” Landscaped around the front are small cacti, purple spiderwort, columbine and snap dragons. Threading up the deck and bird feeders are the magenta and orange native honey suckle vines,
rising just above pink azaleas. During the afternoons, hummingbirds are seen to frequent the area for nourishment. The flower garden is rounded out with red common roses and hydrangeas.
The Keep Carbondale Beautiful, Inc., Board selects businesses or residences to receive the Bright Spot Award for enhancing the beauty of our community by means of revitalization of property, new construction, plantings and beautification, upkeep and maintenance, or rehabilitation.
If you would like to nominate a business or residence to receive the Award, please call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at 525-5525 or email keepcb1326@gmail.com. Archives of some past Bright Spot Award winners may be found at keepcb.org.
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.
