The Village of Riverside announced on April 8 a series of upcoming events and initiatives led by the Landscape Advisory Commission, focusing on sustainable landscaping and environmental awareness.
These efforts are intended to encourage residents to adopt environmentally friendly practices, reduce emissions from landscaping equipment, and promote native plantings in the community. The announcement highlights three main programs: an educational presentation on gas-powered landscape equipment, a native garden contest, and an invasive plant trade-in program.
Ted Haffner from Chicago Wilderness Alliance will present a program about the health and environmental impacts of gas-powered landscape equipment. The event is co-sponsored by Riverside’s Landscape Advisory Commission (LAC) and Riverside Public Library. It is scheduled for Monday, April 27 from 7-8:30 p.m., with registration required.
The commission also introduced Riverside’s first Native Garden Contest to motivate property owners to replace turf grass or invasive species with Illinois native plants. Four winners will receive gift cards for native plant nurseries along with official yard signs recognizing their achievements in categories such as Best Transformation Award ($100), Pollinator Award ($50), Small Space Award ($50), and Professional Design Award ($50).
In addition, the LAC is launching a native plant replacement program targeting invasive species like Buckthorn, Tree of Heaven, Callery Pear, and Bush Honeysuckle on private property this spring. Residents who remove these non-native plants can receive a free native tree, shrub or forb as part of the initiative.
Village of Riverside promotes cultural awareness through its historical commission and public library programs, according to the official website. The village aims to deliver municipal services responsibly while upholding its historical heritage and community atmosphere according to the official website. Notably, Riverside stands out for its landscape design by Frederick Law Olmsted—the pioneer of landscape architecture—according to the official website.
The village provides services including fire suppression, emergency medical care, law enforcement, parks programs, and public library access according to the official website. As a suburban municipality focused on community management and historical preservation according to the official website, it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1970 for its role in national history according to the official website.
These new programs reflect ongoing efforts by local officials to blend environmental responsibility with respect for Riverside’s unique historic character.
