Have a Drink and Think Green

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The "green scene" in St. Louis owes a big “thank you” to Krista Durlas.  When Durlas moved back to St. Louis after living in Chicago, she brought home more than just her belongings. Durlas brought Green Drinks to the St. Louis community.

“I was around for the kick-off and development of Chicago Green Drinks and really missed it when I moved back home,” Durlas said.  “I have a professional and personal interest in the environment and wanted to find out what was happening in the green scene in St. Louis. “

Durlas realized St. Louis lacked any organized gatherings for green friendly people, so she asked her friends Huda Zada, a bartender at the Bottleworks, and Carry Fathman, the gardener of the Bottleworks, to help her set up a Green Drinks program like the one she was a part of in Chicago.

Green Drinks is an event held every month for people who work in the environmental field or who are just interested in green ideas to meet up at informal sessions. The lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business all share ideas and a few drinks at a local bar.

“The goal was always to not just inform, but to give participants practical steps they could take away to make their lifestyles or businesses more sustainable,” Durlas said.

St. Louis Green Drinks held its first event on Earth Day in 2005. Durlas had no clue what to expect, however an attendance total of 75 guests gave her a clue that the St. Louis community was receptive to supporting the Green Scene.  Today, St. Louis Green Drinks still brings in a good crowd and a variety of people from the community.  Organizers typically host the monthly event at a St. Louis bar, typically Schlafly Bottleworks, so the atmosphere is kept “super casual” and comfortable.

"St. Louis is a pretty insular place, and it's sometimes tricky to get the mingling off the ground.  But there are enough regulars around to get the conversations going,” Durlas said. “I always remind the shy first-timers that everyone comes to the events to meet likeminded people, so jump right in.”

Originally a panel discussion was always the main part of the meetings, but Durlas came to realize that some of the coolest outcomes came from the organic interaction and conversation before or after the panels. The connections people began to make even led some to new jobs and new businesses.

Current St. Louis Green Drinks organizer Terry Winkelmann was inspired to open her store, Home Eco, after attending the events. Now, according to Durlas, her store is a real “green hub here in town." Another outcome was that Angie Brown started the St. Louis Organic Garden Club.

“I think more than anything, Green Drinks helps people see all the possibilities and gives them confidence to try something new,” Durlas said. “Hearing panelists stories help people realize that if you have an idea, go for it.”

If you would like to attend a St. Louis Green Drinks meeting or event check the schedule at www.stlgreendrinks.org and sign up for the e-mail list.