The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has named Zionsville as one of six Clean Communities in the state.
From April 2021–November 2023, Zionsville and five other municipalities were pilot participants for the program that replaced the Indiana Clean Community Challenge. Using feedback from pilot program communities, IDEM retooled the program to accept a broader range of projects, encourage cooperation and partnerships with residents and businesses and reduce time-consuming paperwork requirements.
Zionsville earned silver-level status and was honored for their participation and accomplishments at the Indiana Clean Community Program annual meeting and program kickoff on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Beech Grove, Brown County, Fishers, and Richmond earned Silver Status; Merrillville earned Bronze Status.
Zionsville’s Clean Team was led by the mayor’s executive assistant, who was joined by residents, students, and leaders from the Departments of Public Works, Planning, and Parks & Recreation. Projects included completing a greenhouse gas inventory and a climate action plan with assistance from the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute and establishing a community garden led by the Zionsville Parks & Recreation. Zionsville is also a designated SolSmart Community.
IDEM invites municipalities and community partners interested in participating in the new Indiana Clean Community Program to learn more at on.in.gov/cleancommunity.
About the Indiana Clean Community Program: Established by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) in the early 2000s, the Clean Community Program (previously called the Clean Community Challenge) recognizes Indiana counties, cities and towns that take a proactive, positive approach towards ensuring a better quality of life for all Hoosiers and a healthy economy by working to address community and social issues through sustainable environmental and wellness projects. Detailed information is available at on.IN.gov/cleancommunity.
