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Gary Rantala retires after 21 years of service as district supervisor of North St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation District
The North St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation District (NLSWCD) announces the retirement of Gary Rantala, Embarrass, after 21 years of dedicated service as an elected Board Supervisor. Rantala served from 2003 to 2024, and his contributions to the district and his community have been immeasurable. A lifelong educator and passionate environmental advocate, Rantala has played a key role in shaping conservation efforts in the region.
Formerly a teacher at Cherry High School, Rantala’s career as an educator has been driven by his deep commitment to environmental preservation and his desire to instill the importance of natural resource conservation in young people. Rantala also owned GR Greenhouse for many years. Throughout his tenure as a District Supervisor, Rantala worked tirelessly to promote soil and water conservation initiatives while also supporting educational programs that empowered local youth to engage with and protect their natural surroundings.
“Gary’s commitment to both environmental education and conservation has left a lasting legacy in our community,” said Peggy Pearson, board chair. “His leadership, vision, and passion for our natural resources have made a significant impact on the district, and his dedication will be greatly missed.”
Rantala’s work extended beyond policy and leadership. He frequently served as a judge for the area Envirothon, a SWCD-sponsored competition for high school students with hands-on learning opportunities for students, helping them develop a lifelong respect for the environment.
As Rantala embarks on his wellearned retirement, his legacy of advocacy, education, and environmental stewardship will continue to influence the district for many years to come.
