Glenbrook South Students 'Critical' To Environmental Initiative

GLENVIEW, IL — Buckthorn, a non-native plant, has been a major environmental concern in Glenview dating back to its introduction here in the 19th century. It crowds out native plants, disrupts wildlife habitats, and threatens biodiversity.

With that in mind, the Glenbrook South Interact Club and the Rotary Club of Glenview Sunrise are teaming up to combat buckthorn.

"The involvement of the students at GBS was critical to the development of this project," Scott Daniels, environmental director of Rotary Club of Glenview Sunrise, tells Patch. "In addition to educational benefits of highlighting the invasive nature of buckthorn and its impact on the community, bringing our future citizens into the project boosted the credibility and visibility of the effort."

According to Daniels, Glenbrook South Interact Club is a group of high school students passionate about community service. He said the collaborative initiative aims to raise awareness about the invasive species and engage the community in efforts to restore the health of local ecosystems.

"Furthermore, the initiative provided actual experience in bringing a project to fruition," Daniels said. "The students had to decide as a team to pursue the project, and then the artwork required multiple revisions to the design that had to be completed on a timeline, providing an experience very much like that encountered in business."

Daniels credits GBS student Mae Mae Kuhn as being primarily responsible for the development of the project at the school. As part of its 2025 "Operation Pollination" campaign, Rotary Club of Sunrise is "eager" to contribute its expertise and resources to the project.

"This is a great opportunity to work alongside young people and promote environmental stewardship," said Dee Santucci, president of the Rotary Club of Glenview Sunrise. "Together, we can help protect Glenview's green spaces and ensure a thriving, diverse ecosystem for future generations."

As part of their outreach campaign, members of both organizations will place signage in their yards to signal that their properties are free of buckthorn. Kuhn designed the signs that feature QR codes, which residents can scan to access the Village of Glenview's buckthorn incentive website for more information on removal efforts.

This isn't the first time Glenbrook South students have helped with the cause. According to Daniels, over 300 biology students from the school participated in a service-learning project at The Grove in 2013. During the project, the students engaged in biodiversity studies and assisted in clearing invasive species, including buckthorn. Daniels said these initiatives help raise awareness and foster community participation in ecological restoration.

The dense shade of buckthorn prevents the growth of native plants and alters soil nutrients, leading to a decline in biodiversity, according to Daniels. In recognition of the ecological threat posed by buckthorn, the Village of Glenview has implemented various management strategies. Daniels said the Glenview Park District has been actively removing invasive plants, including buckthorn, from areas like The Grove National Historic Landmark and Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie.

In addition, Glenview offers a Buckthorn Removal Incentive Program, providing financial reimbursement to residents and businesses for the removal of buckthorn from their properties. According to Daniels, this program aims to reduce the spread of this invasive species and encourage the restoration of native landscapes.

Through this partnership, Daniels said both groups are hoping to inspire other communities to take similar steps to protect their local environments.

For more information on how to get involved, contact a GBS Interact student or reach out to the Rotary Club of Glenview Sunrise at glenviewsunriserotary@gmail.com.