Local organizations to be honored for modeling environmental sustainability

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Five St. Joseph organizations will be honored at a ceremony for their commitment to environmental sustainability throughout the community.

The Sustainable Environment Advisory Committee's annual Environmental Sustainability recognitions will take place at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 27 at the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, located at 911 Frederick Ave.

The five businesses being recognized this year are:

• The City of St. Joseph for its partnership with Schneider Electric, as well as other improvements and initiatives that support sustainability
• Washington Park Library, as part of the St. Joseph Public Library System, representing funding received and a project planned through the Riverbluff Gateway grant for native planting
• Riverside Library representing the Rolling Hills Library for its partnership with the Northwest Missouri Master Gardners for native and other plants in its new entrance
• Missouri Western State University Department of Biology, representing the continuing work with the John Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie
• Benton High School students, represented by the Advanced Language Arts Class for a (contest) proposal for a Butterfly Garden in the South Side and additionally, an honor physics class conducting a real-world energy audit to identify and reduce unnecessary electricity use during after-school hours

The event will include a Mayoral proclamation for "Sustainable Environment Recognition Day" and recipients will speak briefly about their work and/or project.