What is Green Building?

Buildings and communities should be in harmony with nature. Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use and harvest energy, water, and materials, and reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal the complete building life cycle.

Why hire a 'Green Community Specialist'?

The benefits of Green practices are immense but without the right community management to safeguard your investments that could wither over time. You need a certified specialist to maintain the sustanability of your community or building and to validate your vendors are following Green practices.

Green - A practice that works with nature instead of against. Environmentally friendly procedures that promote sustainability via efficiency improvements, reuse/recycling, and substitution.
Community - People with common interests living in a particular area sharing resources, space, and often common goals
Specialist - A person who is able to solve some predefined class of problems. Usually, specialists are officially recognized by different authorities composed of recognized experts.

Does implementing or maintaining Green practices cost my community or building more?

Green practices typically offer substantial savings. As reported on the Natural Resources Defense Councils website, "by paying on average of 2 percent up front on efficient green features, you can save as much as 30 percent to 40 percent on your energy and water bills. And trimming your operating and maintenance costs -- which can account for up to 85 percent of your building's lifetime costs."

What is the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)?

• The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is leading the national consensus for producing a new generation of building that deliver high performance inside and out.
• Members also forge strategic alliances with key industry and research organizations and federal, state and local governments agencies to transform the built environment.