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Community Corner

Town and Country Creates Green Commission

A closer look at a new program already working to make Town and Country more environmentally friendly.

As our world negatively and perceptibly changes before our very eyes, many of us are searching for ways to protect our environment and go green.  From global warming leading to rising seas and Hurricane Katrina to the Pacific Garbage Patch or the basic desire to eat sustainable, unmodified and pesticide free food, many are all looking for a way to be greener. The knowledge that we, as individuals and as a community, can impact a change in our future existences is a great motivator. 

Town and Country's leaders are taking one of the first local steps in addressing the city's environmental challenges.  They have announced the creation of their Green Team Commission and they, with resident volunteers, plan to propel this green movement forward.

The commission is overseen by Craig Wilde, Town and Country's  public works director. "It is the beginning of the movement, but it is gaining momentum", Wilde said.

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The GreenPrint for Action "GPA" plan was created by city leaders to outline the goals of the project for the Green Team Commission and the residents of Town and Country. It provides a plan to improve the conditions regarding the local environment and ecosystems,  as well as to educate and motivate the people of Town and Country.  City leaders also hope to involve schools, religious institutions and businesses.   The goal is to transform them into stewards of this green movement and therefore reduce the carbon footprint of the community. 

Some Town and Country schools and universities are already on board.  Maryville University is at the head of the class in creating a community which believes that sustainability is a core value.  The university is now working with the Green Team. Peggy Lauer, co-chair for the Sustainability Advisory Council at Maryville University, worked to push a cooperative effort between the Green Team, The Principia and Maryville University to create an organic community vegetable garden.  The land was donated by The Principia, an Eagle Scout there built the fence surrounding it, while Maryville University faculty, with Green Team volunteers, created the garden. 

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"Building the garden was a lot of work but it came with such a great sense of accomplishment" Lauer said. Next year Lauer will  co-teach a course in how to become green. "The green team is wonderful and they are working hard to promote sustainable initiatives as they continue to make progress. I am sure we will work with them again," Lauer added.

The city of Town and Country is using the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as the foundation  for the GPA document.  The document will grow and change to include new data and methods which most efficiently reduce greenhouse gases.

Some of the provisions of GPA are simple, but will be done on a city level.  Energy efficient lighting, green certified cleaning products and Energy Star compliant equipment and appliances will be put in place. There will be an effort to increase recycling rates, both in city operations and in the community. Lastly city leaders plan to purchase fuel efficient city vehicles.

Another aspect of the project is to continue to enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl and preserve open space, which in some ways was the original intention in the city of Town and Country.  The commission encourages healthy urban forests since trees have many benefits including reducing the heat island effect, filtering the air and absorbing carbon dioxide. The commission will also evaluate building code requirements and promote the implementation of sustainable building practices using the U.S. Building Council's LEED program.

Linda Robson, the chair of the garden committee said, "Things move too slowly for me.  We have to take baby steps."  There are several committed members of the community trying to create an environment to be proud of, however, there is more work to be done.  "We want to get the schools, businesses and residents in the area even more involved," Robson explained.

If you would like to volunteer for the Green Team Commission, please click on the following link :  Commission Application

If you would like to read the GreenPrint for Action Document, please click on the following link:   GreenPrint for Action Document

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