September 22: Pivoting School Sustainability Programming in the Time of COVID

photo courtesy: U.S. Green Building Council

Date: Tuesday, September 22 | Time: 3-4 p.m. EST

The school year is under way but so much is different this fall. Four green school district champions will share how they’ve shifted their educational and behavior change programming to take advantage of opportunities for outdoor learning, home-based engagement activities, energy auditing, and online zero waste education. Join us for our final event in the Sustainability COVID series to hear about lessons learned and new ideas for keeping sustainability programming moving forward in a realistic way this next school year.

Presenters

  • Tresine Logsdon, Energy & Sustainability Curriculum Coordinator, Fayette County Public Schools
  • Caroline Coster, Energy Manager, Metro Nashville Public Schools
  • Amanda Mortl, Zero Waste Specialist, Austin Unified Public Schools
  • Ghita Carroll, Sustainability Coordinator, Boulder Valley School District

More information:

We believe that all students deserve to attend sustainable schools that enhance their health and prepare them for 21st century careers.

Our work brings sustainability to life in the classroom and encourages communities to work together toward a future that is healthier for people and the planet. We welcome you to learn and to advance the green schools movement along with us.

The Center for Green Schools

September 15: Mental Health & Resiliency in the Time of COVID

photo courtesy: U.S. Green Building Council

Date: Tuesday, September 15 | Time: 3-4 p.m. EST

The pandemic has taken a significant toll on people’s mental health, especially those working in schools. Presenters from the Green Schools National Network and districts across the country will help webinar attendees understand the importance of sustaining one’s own health and wellness as well as provide examples of social emotional programming that could be used to support teachers, school staff, students and the broader school community manage through this stressful time.

This webinar is the fourth in a five part series focused on keeping sustainability alive in k12 schools during COVID. We are excited to co-host this event with the Green Schools National Network.

More upcoming webinars 

More information:

We believe that all students deserve to attend sustainable schools that enhance their health and prepare them for 21st century careers.

Our work brings sustainability to life in the classroom and encourages communities to work together toward a future that is healthier for people and the planet. We welcome you to learn and to advance the green schools movement along with us.

The Center for Green Schools

September 1: Recycling and Composting in the Time of COVID

photo courtesy: U.S. Green Building Council

Date: Tuesday, September 1 | Time: 3-4 p.m. EST

Keeping on track with recycling and composting goals is a challenge in normal times, but the increased packaging, eating in the classroom, and PPE waste, as a result of COVID, is creating real issues for sustainability champions. Hear how school systems are proactively responding by pivoting recycling education, food reuse programs, and collection systems to ensure their programs stay on track.

Presenters:

  • Rina Fa’amoe-Cross, Resource Conservation Specialist, Seattle Public Schools
  • Kathleen Corrardi, Zero Waste Program Manager, New York City Dept of Education

More upcoming webinars 

More information:

We believe that all students deserve to attend sustainable schools that enhance their health and prepare them for 21st century careers.

Our work brings sustainability to life in the classroom and encourages communities to work together toward a future that is healthier for people and the planet. We welcome you to learn and to advance the green schools movement along with us.

The Center for Green Schools

August 25: Energy and IAQ in the Time of COVID

photo courtesy: U.S. Green Building Council

Date: Tuesday, August 25 | Time: 3-4 p.m. EST

As schools discuss how to reopen safely, all eyes are on indoor air quality. Join this webinar to hear how energy and facilities staff are shifting operations and maintenance of their school buildings and what new technologies are being considered for providing healthier spaces. Presenters will also discuss the ongoing challenge of balancing energy conservation and health goals during this pandemic.

Presenters:

  • Shannon Oliver, Assistant Director of Energy & Sustainability, Adams 12 – Five Star Schools
  • Chris Ralston, Facilities Manager, San Juan Unified School District
  • David Sturtz, Partner, Coop Strategies

More upcoming webinars 

More information:

We believe that all students deserve to attend sustainable schools that enhance their health and prepare them for 21st century careers.

Our work brings sustainability to life in the classroom and encourages communities to work together toward a future that is healthier for people and the planet. We welcome you to learn and to advance the green schools movement along with us.

The Center for Green Schools

August 25 LEED Case Study: Barnett Tower Historical Building

One advantage to our current virtual environment is that we can attend events like this no matter where we are! The U.S. Green Building Council – Florida is hosting a LEED Case Study of the Barnett Tower historical building in Jacksonville, Florida and you are invited!

Learn how the 1926 Barnett Tower was transformed into a LEED-certified, mixed-use facility 

The Barnett Tower, originally built in 1926, was the main headquarters of Barnett National Bank, which was at that time the largest commercial bank in the state of Florida. Until the erection of the Aetna Building in 1954, the 18-story, 223 ft (68m) tall Barnett Building, nestled in Jacksonville’s urban core, laid claim to being the tallest building in the North Florida region. The Owners’ decision to rehabilitate the building came with significant challenges, but also with a great opportunity to contribute to the revitalization of Jacksonville’s historic downtown.

LEED Case Study: Barnett Tower Historical Building

When: August 25 from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Online event
Credits: 1 GBCI LEED Specific BD+C, 1 AIA LU/HSW

Speakers

  • Ryan Fryman | PE, LEED AP BD+C, CxA, Principal, TLC Engineering Solutions
  • Mark Gelfo | PE, LEED Fellow, CxA, EMP, Principal, TLC Engineering Solutions

Schedule

11:25 p.m. | Webinar opens
11:30 p.m. | Program begins
11:45 p.m. | Presentation
12:40 p.m. | Q&A and discussion
1:00 p.m. | Webinar closes

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August 20: Zero Energy Schools Are Here to Stay

photo courtesy: U.S. Green Building Council

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2020 | Time: 3-4 p.m. EST

Schools are leading the race to zero energy construction with over 200 verified and emerging educational projects across the country aiming to consume only as much energy as they produce from renewable resources. Recent advancements in building codes and zero energy policies confirm that zero energy schools are here to stay.

During this one-hour webinar, presenters from New Buildings Institute and VMDO Architects will share national trends in the field and how zero energy schools are a critical component of moving the needle to a carbon free and healthy future. Presenters will also share case studies of different schools path to zero energy and LEED Zero certification, including VMDO’s Discovery Elementary School project. Join us for a look into the current landscape for zero energy buildings, why your project should consider zero energy and resilience as the new normal, and best practices for getting there.

Presenters:

  • Wyck Knox, Principal, VMDO Architects
  • Reilly Loveland, New Buildings Institute

More upcoming webinars 

More information:

We believe that all students deserve to attend sustainable schools that enhance their health and prepare them for 21st century careers.

Our work brings sustainability to life in the classroom and encourages communities to work together toward a future that is healthier for people and the planet. We welcome you to learn and to advance the green schools movement along with us.

The Center for Green Schools

August 18: Green Cleaning in the Time of COVID

photo courtesy: U.S. Green Building Council

Date: Tuesday, August 18 | Time: 3-4 p.m. EST

Schools are investing significant resources in cleaning products and new technologies to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but few are considering how these materials will impact human health and the environment. During this webinar, co-hosted with Healthy Schools Campaign, school district staff will share evidence of the efficacy of green cleaning products, which green options are effective against the coronavirus, as well as case studies of how they have managed to maintain their green cleaning program during the pandemic.

Presenters:

  • Judd Remmers, Coordinator of Custodial Affairs, Shawnee Mission School District
  • Merv Brewer, Assistant Manager-Custodial Services, Salt Lake City School District
  • Sara Porter, Vice President of External Affairs, Health Schools Campaign

More upcoming webinars 

More information:

We believe that all students deserve to attend sustainable schools that enhance their health and prepare them for 21st century careers.

Our work brings sustainability to life in the classroom and encourages communities to work together toward a future that is healthier for people and the planet. We welcome you to learn and to advance the green schools movement along with us.

The Center for Green Schools

USGBC Video: A Day in the Life of LEED

The U.S. Green Building Concil invites you to “discover all of the places where you experience LEED – from your home and local school to where you work and where you play. LEED spaces are everywhere, and there’s a LEED rating system for every type of building project.”

“A Day in the Life of LEED” follows several people through their day to explore some of the features that make a building green:

  • Daylighting
  • Low-VOC materials
  • Thermal comfort controls
  • Indoor water use reduction
  • Acoustic performance
  • Quality views
  • Transit access
  • Open space
  • Preferred parking for electric vehicles
  • Design for active occupants
  • On-site renewable energy sources: solar
  • Water-efficient landscaping
  • Recycled materials
  • Daylight control
  • Lighting controls
  • Solid waste management
  • Energy-efficient appliances

For more information about LEED and the U.S. Green Building Council

August 29: Resiliency Through Landscape Design in Public Spaces

Join USGBC Miami and leading industry professionals as we explore how resilient landscape architecture can be an effective tool to mitigate impacts of more frequent tidal flooding, coastal erosion, and stronger hurricanes. Learn what local designers, city officials, and organizations are doing to manage our climate adaptation strategies and to improve our local blue-green infrastructure by building with nature.

PANELISTS

  • Susanne Torriente, Chief Resiliency Officer, City of Miami Beach
  • Marta Viciedo, CEO & Co-Founder, Urban Impact Lab
  • Christopher Counts, Principal, Perkins & Will

WHEN

Thursday, August 29, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT)

WHERE

Miami Design District, Palm Court Event Space, 140 NE 39th Street (3rd Floor), Miami, FL 33137

COST

  • USGBC Florida Members: Free
  • Non-Members: $15
  • Partners: Free with promo code

SPONSORS

  • Perkins and Will
  • Witkin Hults Design Group
  • Miami Design District

Miami Awarded LEED for Cities & Communities Grant

The City of Miami just announced that our magic city has been selected by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to receive a LEED for Cities and Communities grant.

The City recognizes that the next generation of green building must focus on the development of smart cities and resilient communities, and this certification will allow Miami to demonstrate leadership among cities and communities advancing a sustainable, healthy, and equitable way of life.

City of Miami press release

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 1993 to help define “green building” by establishing a common standard of measurement and to promote integrated, publicly reviewed, whole-building design practices. Since then, LEED has grown from one standard for new construction to a comprehensive system of standards covering all aspects of the development and construction process.

In 2016, the USGBC introduced two new certification programs in – LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities (collectively referred to as “LEED v4.1 for Cities and Communities”). “These programs are helping cities and communities develop responsible, sustainable and specific plans for energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors that contribute to quality of life.”

The U.S. Green Building Council received $500,000 Bank of America Charitable Foundation for the “LEED for Cities and Communities Grant Program” to support local governments pursuing certification under the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system. Each grant package includes:

  • One annual USGBC Silver membership;
  • LEED for Cities and Communities registration and certification;
  • Access to the Arc reporting platform to encourage city/county continuous improvement and ability to explore opportunities for managed/owned affordable housing units;
  • A two-day, in-person orientation workshop with other selected communities for two local government officials/staff;
  • One registration to attend the Greenbuild Conference and Expo and the Communities and Affordable Homes Summit in Atlanta in November 2019
  • Access to online education resources, USGBC technical assistance and monthly conference calls.

This partnership presents a tremendous opportunity to bolster the City’s sustainability agenda, take stock of where we stand now on sustainability and establish a baseline that we can measure against as we move forward. Congratulations to our Office of Resilience and Sustainability for securing this invaluable opportunity for the City to work directly with USBGC professionals to make Miami more sustainable.

Miami City Manager Emilio T. Gonzalez