December 2016 E-Newsletter
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2017 State of the Chapter
Distinguish Yourself with the LEED Green Associate Credential
Join Emerging Professionals to Weatherize with EnergyCare
Congratulations to the City of St. Louis: Selected for City Energy Project
Missouri Joins Green Ribbon Schools Program
Green Schools Quest Schools Featured in Press
St. Louis County Energy Code Hearing
Already Shopping Online? Support the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter with Amazon Smile
USGBC-MGC Seeks Intern
Early Bird Registration Deadline Extended for New Partners for Smart Growth Conference
Save the Date: 2017 OneSTL Sustianability Summit
Thanks to our New & Renewing Annual Sponsors!

USGBC-MISSOURI GATEWAY CHAPTER MISSION 

To initiate, develop and accelerate the implementation of green building concepts, technologies and principles that promote environmentally responsible, prosperous and healthy places to live and work.
 

QUICK LINKS


AMAZON SMILE 


CONNECT WITH US!
2017 State of the Chapter & Social 
Tuesday, January 10, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
It's that time of year! Join us at the 2017 State of the Chapter & Social on January 10th as we kick off programming for the year! This FREE event, open to members and non-members, is one of the highlights of our year. 

Meet Chapter members and leaders while enjoying complimentary wine, beer, and appetizers. Connect with representatives from the Board of Directors and committees.  Celebrate past accomplishments and learn about ways you can engage with USGBC-MGC to contribute to a positive future for our community.

We hope you'll join us in welcoming the new year and contributing to our goal of transforming the built environment!

Friday December 9, 2016, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Distinguish yourself with a LEED Green Associate credential!  Passing the Green Associate exam will allow you to market your knowledge of the preeminent standards in the green building industry, and it is the first step in becoming a LEED Professional.  The LEED Green Associate credential is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice. This credential attests to basic knowledge of green design, construction, and operations.

USGBC-Missouri Gateway's  LEED Green Associate Exam Prep course is designed to prepare participants for the LEED Green Associate exam.  Course content includes an introduction to USGBC and LEED, LEED v4 Core Concepts, Location and Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation and Regional Priority, Test Taking Tips, & Practice Exam.

Participants will receive access to an online practice exam to assist with continued exam preparation at the conclusion of the course.

Emerging Professionals Service Project: EnergyCare
Saturday December 10, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Wrap up your 2017 in service!  Join USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Emerging Professionals to participate  in a morning of home weatherization with local non-profit  EnergyCare

EnergyCare helps keep St. Louis residents safe during cold weather by providing heaters, blankets, and other energy-related services. During the winter season, EnergyCare service providers: weatherize homes for the elderly, ill or disabled, and instruct them how to conserve both their financial resources and energy; provide weatherization kits for low-income families who are physically able to install the kits; provide blankets and heaters for persons who are low-income, elderly, ill, and families with young children who are ill; counsel callers on how to stay safely warm in cold weather; arrange for minor furnace repair for low-income, older adults who are home owners; refer callers to agencies that provide utility assistance for heating.

Participants will meet at EnergyCare's office at 2758 Wyoming St, St. Louis, MO 63118. ( map )

City of St. Louis Selected for City Energy Project
Congratulations to the City of St. Louis - they have been selected as one of ten cities to receive a national City Energy Project award. 
 
The City Energy Project aims to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, which are the largest source of carbon emissions in the U.S. and account for the majority of carbon pollution in our urban centers.
 
St. Louis joins 9 other new participating City Energy Project cities and the ten pioneering City Energy Project cities that participated in the project's launch in 2015. Now compromising 20 cities, the City Energy Project annually could save building owners and tenants more than $1.5 billion and reduce climate pollution by 9.6 million metric tons, equivalent to taking 2 million cars off the road, by 2030.
 
A joint project of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), the City Energy Project is funded by a partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation. 

Nominations due January 15
We are delighted to share the good news that nominations for the
Missouri Green Ribbon Schools are now open!


The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools taking a comprehensive approach to greening their school. A comprehensive approach incorporates progress in the following three areas, referred to as Pillars: 
  • Pillar I: Reduce environmental impact and costs.
  • Pillar II: Improve the health and wellness of students and staff.
  • Pillar III: Provide effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills and green career pathways. 
Becoming a U.S. Department of Education (US ED) Green Ribbon School is a two-step process. The first step is to complete a nomination form to be selected as a nominee by the eligible nominating authority in your state, in this case the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MO-DESE).
 
Once selected as a nominee by MO-DESE, the nomination form is sent to US ED which selects honorees from those presented by eligible nominating authorities nationwide.  Selection will be based on documentation of the applicant's high achievement in the three ED-GRS Pillars (outlined above.)
 
Schools demonstrating progress in all three areas (Pillars) will receive highest rankings and stand the best chance of being nominated for national recognition. However, all schools that submit will be recognized at the state level.
  • Up to five schools can be nominated from a state.
  • Public, charter and private preK-12 schools can submit nominations.
  • Schools that have previously received recognition are not eligible.
The nomination form and tips, directions and resources for filling it out online here.
 
The program is open to all Missouri schools, pre K through 12th grade; public, private and charter; in any part of the state. 
 
The state deadline for submission is January 15, so act now!
 
Two Green Schools Quest schools were recently featured in the South County Times and the Webster-Kirkwood Times.  Students at Rogers Middle School in Affton School District and Westchester Elementary School in Kirkwood School District are both hard at work implementing their Quest projects! 

In an effort to create a more sustainable environment and win the Green Schools Quest competition, Rogers Middle School students in Affton are working to expand the school's pollinator garden and increase biodiversity in their own backyard.

Seventh graders in Krista Bernreuter's "Just Wing It" class are building on a project that started last year when a pollinator garden was planted in back of the middle school. This year students are doubling the garden's size to roughly 400 square feet with the hope of attracting birds, hence the title of the course.


Students throughout Westchester Elementary School in Kirkwood are pursuing sustainability projects. 5th grade green team members are  dedicating many of their lunch hours and much of their recess time to spearhead a chicken coop project. Third grade green team members are building a compost bin, and members of the fourth grade green team are working to restore "Westchester Woods," the school's wooded area.


Green Schools Quest Schools will continue to implement their projects this winter, and must submit documentation of their project's impact by March 12. Winners will be announced at the annual Green Schools Event on April 11, 2017. 
St. Louis County Energy Code Hearing 
Wednesday, December 14
The St. Louis County's Building Commission/Building Board of Appeals will hear comments on proposed updates to the County Building Code on Wednesday, December 14.  

The proposed code dismisses the energy efficiency measures required of new homes included in the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code, weakening energy efficiency measures below existing requirements according to a Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance analysis

According to MEEA's analysis, if the county were to adopt the un-amended 2015 IECC, homeowners could expect to save approximately $436 annually; however, if the county were to adopt the 2015 IECC with current BCRC-approved amendments, homeowners could expect to spend an additional $152 annually, when compared to the current St. Louis County 2009 Residential IECC.

If you live in St. Louis County, consider attending this hearing to voice your support for energy efficiency, or contact your representative to let them know this is important to you. 

Support the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter with Amazon Smile  
Already shopping online? Support the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter's work to transform the built environment with AmazonSmile. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charity of your choice. Sign up to support USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter using  this link , and bookmark   smile.amazon.com  for future purchases!
USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Seeks Intern   
The USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter seeks an energetic and skilled part-time intern with a wide range of administrative, organizational, and technical skills to assist with general Chapter operations. The internship position will report to the Education & Green Schools Coordinator and support the activities of the Chapter's volunteer-led committees.

A job description and internship details are available online here. Interested applicants should e mail a cover letter and resume, with references to: Hope Gribble, Education and Green Schools Coordinator
Early Bird Registration Deadline Extended for New Partners for Smart Growth Conference
Early Bird Registration Deadline: December 16
Conference: Thursday February 2 - Saturday February 4

The Early Bird registration deadline for that nation's  largest smart growth and sustainability event  (this year in St. Louis!) has been extended until December 16. 

The theme of this year's New Partners for Smart Growth Conference is "Practical Tools and Innovative Strategies for Creating Great Communities," underscoring a stronger emphasis on implementation tools and strategies, and new technologies that will help communities NOW! 

There will be something for everybody, from veteran experts to smart-growth novices, with over 75 sessions and workshops to choose from. Visit the conference website to explore the recently announced program and register today! 

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED 
Sign up before December 16th & save $50!
Wednesday, April 5, 2017

The 2017 Sustainability Summit partners are proud to announce the inaugural St. Louis region-wide sustainability conference that will take place on April 5, 2017 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center located on the Washington University campus.

The theme for the 2017 Sustainability Summit is Setting Targets for our Shared FutureAs a region, we have a robust foundation for sustainability: a strong, collectively developed regional sustainability plan (OneSTL), a thorough City of St. Louis Sustainability Plan, and a multitude of initiatives dedicated to making St. Louis a more sustainable and resilient place. This conference seeks to move forward by identifying regional targets and goals that lead to strategies to achieve a sustainable, equitable future. 


Thank you to our new & renewing sponsors!

Cannon Design - RENEWING Gold Sponsor

Johnson Controls - RENEWING Bronze Sponsor

PayneCrest Electric - RENEWING Bronze Sponsor

Trivers Associates - NEW Green Sponsor

The financial support of our sponsors is integral to ensuring that everyone can live, work and learn in smart and healthy buildings.

  
What Your Company Gains as a USGBC - MGC Sponsor: 
 
EXPAND: Grow the knowledge of green building and sustainability in our community.
  
PARTICIPATE: Get involved in educational programs, special events and community projects to showcase your company's leadership.
  
EXPOSURE: As a Chapter Sponsor, your company will be:
  • Listed on our website which receives 6,500 visitors and 60,000 page views per month.
  • Included in our monthly e-newsletter with over 5,000 subscribers.
  • Recognized at monthly programs, with an average attendance of 100.
LEARN: Keep up with the latest green building trends and technologies and earn continuing education hours.
  
ALIGN: Differentiate your company as a leader in the sustainability movement in your community.

USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Sponsorships includes numerous benefits - from complimentary Chapter memberships and monthly program passes to exposure on the Chapter website, e-news and at events.    
  
You can learn more by downloading our 2017 Sponsor Package or by contacting Emily Andrews at 314-577-0854.
 
Thanks to our RESTORATIVE SPONSORS

Thanks to our PLATINUM SPONSORS


Thanks to our GOLD SPONSORS


Thanks to our GREEN SCHOOLS SUPPORTERS


Thanks to our GREEN-15  SPONSORS

Thanks to our  SILVER  SPONSORS
8760 Engineering

Ameren Missouri Pure Power
 
ASSA ABLOY
 
BSI Constructors
 
Christner, Inc. 
 
Custom Engineering
 
Dynamic Controls, Inc.
 
ECO Recycling, Inc. 
 
Electrical Connection
 
Enterprise Holdings
 
Express Scripts
Farnsworth Group

FGM Architects


Hastings & Chivetta
 
Heideman Associates, Inc
 
HM Risk
 
Wm. B. Ittner, Inc

Johnson Controls
 
Metro Lighting
 
M3 Engineering Group
 
Mueller Prost

NewGround 
Oates Associates

PayneCrest Electric

Parsons Brinckerhoff

Ross & Baruzzini
 
Siemens

Solutions AEC

Tarlton

Thompson Coburn, LLC

Trane
Thanks to our  GREEN SPONSORS
Azimuth Energy

HBD Construction
 
Schaeffer Marketing Group

Trivers Associates