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Evening Program
March 10 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Climate Solutions: Addressing Urgency & Taking Action. As humans we've adapted a linear approach to economics; we take, we make, we dispose. Yet, does this activity benefit our living system? Does it benefit you? Or your business? Probably not. We need to redefine growth, focus on positive society-wide benefits and build economic, natural, and social capital. How is this possible? The Circular Economy. The circular economy is based upon three principles; design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. It's a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
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Sustainable development plays a significant role in shaping the future of our environment and society. So that we might learn from another community taking innovative action, we've invited speaker Amy Aussieker, the Executive Director of Envision Charlotte, to share the successes and challenges Charlotte, North Carolina has had since launching their circular economy plan.
Tying in with their sustainable energy goals to reduce carbon dioxide, the City of Charlotte has begun to harness materials that would have been headed to the landfill like plastics, textiles, concrete and organics. REthinking the operating system and REdesigning the way Charlotte's economy works - REpresenting a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience, generates business and economic opportunities, and provides environmental and social benefits. Please be sure to join us next Tuesday, March 10th to learn about the short and long-term strategies, community participation, and benefits of developing a circular economy.
WHEN
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
5:30 - 7:30 pm
WHERE
Alberici Headquarters
8800 Page Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63114
FREE for USGBC-MGC Members and full-time students
$20 for Non-members
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In-Depth Seminar
Developed by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) JUST 2.0 is a voluntary disclosure tool to help organizations optimize polices that improve social equity and enhance employee engagement. Having just had our Leadership Meeting for USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter, this in-depth seminar couldn't have come at a more ideal time. During the Leadership Meeting we introduced the imperative need to integrate our Equity & Inclusion Statement into our programs and strategic plan, with members like you and educational events like Jumping into JUST we can make this pursuit of sustainable equity and inclusion a more active, consistent journey together.
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Thanks to Madeline Smith of Clayco Inc. for her fabulous presentation and leading our discussion groups when assessing our own organizations and their social equity in relation to people, planet, profit. Those in attendance suggested the most useful aspect of this event was the case study of JUST 1.0 by Trivers and the break out session to apply what we learned from the presentation using a JUST scorecard. Included in the scorecard were indicators such as diversity and inclusion, equity, employee health, employee benefits, stewardship, and purchasing and supply chain.
Throughout the process of obtaining a JUST label Trivers' biggest lesson learned was that this helped clarify areas for focused strategic improvement. For example, Trivers received a level zero for ethnic diversity, and when asked the question, how are you addressing racial equity to improve your rating to a level three? Amy Gilbertson, a partner at Trivers said, it's not going to change overnight but since she started as an intern with Trivers she was the only female licensed architect. The hope is once Trivers starts to attract more ethnic minorities in the firm, the more leadership of color they will have, changing the architecture, engineering, and construction profession as a whole to become more diverse and inclusive.
"I just love the fact that we've gone from this LEED world of architects, engineers, and contractors to now really reaching out to a lot of [open] disciplines," said LEED Fellow Paul Todd Merrill during the seminar. Any company can get a JUST label, not just the green building industry and for Trivers this social justice label is more about employees and wanting to create a place where people want to work and where they feel appreciated - it's more recruiting and retaining talent, versus trying to get projects as an architecture firm.
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Other Green Events
March 05 | 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Speaking of a just and equitable future, we got the chance to catch up with Rebecca Hankins, President of the Meramec Botanical Society at St. Louis Community College (STLCC) and Rob Kennedy, the
Rainscaping Programs Manager at the
Missouri Botanical Garden regarding the upcoming Social Justice in Horticulture Conference Thursday, March 5th at STLCC Meramec.
As President of the student-led Botanical Society, Rebecca wanted to bring an event to campus that not only benefited the horticulture students, but that generated collaboration across the Meramec campus. She was aware of the many conversations taking place in St. Louis regarding diversity, equity and inclusion and also being part of the newly established
Coalition for Equity & Inclusion in Horticulture
realized that others were also interested in this topic. When participating in the
Shaw Series
last August, the conversation continued and with a strong recommendation from Scott Woodbury, Manager of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve, the idea was solidified. Partnering with the Shaw Series, and subsequently, the USGBC, the idea grew into a half day event highlighting local experts on the subjects of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as bringing in keynote speaker, Kofi Boone, professor of landscape architecture at NC State University. (Kofi's talk titled "The Just and the Green: Confronting Green Inequities" will discuss the tension between environmentalism and environmental justice.)
Rebecca is looking forward to bringing in a variety of green industry people together in one place to discuss these relevant topics, and
Rob Kennedy is excited to see what kind of conversations and momentum come from the conference.
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A challenge that Rebecca and Rob came across while planning the event was a sentiment of What is the motivation for this conference, I don't see any injustices? The goal of the conference is to inform the audience about social justice concepts which are becoming popularized but still have a lot of confusion about them. Dr. Cindy Epperson, professor of sociology at STLCC Meramec, will open the conference with her talk "Definitions of Social Justice" for this very reason. When we all are willing to listen and participate in the dialogue, new understanding and awareness can be brought to the social justice movement, particularly in the horticulture, green, and energy industries. Bringing people from these 3 industries together, all with big goals, can also bring its own challenges as Kofi's talk will highlight. These challenges, however, can end up being positive, Rob observed, as
The Social Justice in Horticulture Conference
provides an opportunity to create a safe space for a diverse group of people to learn and to discuss.
To conclude, we asked Rebecca and Rob what they were looking forward to most at the conference, this Thursday, March 5th. The goal of the last hour, a panel discussion on "Effective Implementation" is to have the audience be able to answer, How do I take what I learned today and implement it tomorrow, in my sphere of influence? This Q&A style discussion will give the audience a chance to ask questions, and for the panelists, including several local teens of the Outdoor Youth Corps the opportunity to assess, How is diversity, equity and inclusion actually working?
WHEN
Thursday, March 05, 2020
1:00 - 6:00 pm
WHERE
STLCC - Horticulture Meramec Campus (in the theater)
11333 Big Bend Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
FREE but registration is required.
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MBG News
Employees are the core of any business's success and recognizing the impact a positive environment can have on their well-being should be a priority. A connection to the natural world has known benefits to physical and psychological health. Research shows that connecting with nature definitively improves overall well-being and investing in the well-being of your employees is investing in the well-being of your organization.
For over 15 years, the Missouri Botanical Garden has been offering Therapeutic Horticulture programs to a wide variety of groups throughout the St. Louis community. To bring the benefits of therapeutic horticulture to the workplace the MBG Therapeutic Horticulture team now offers new opportunities; Lunch n' Learns, Team Meetings, and Programs to participate in.
More than simply greening an office with plants, these programs are designed to deepen an individual's connection with nature and as a result, improve creativity, production and job satisfaction.
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Sustainability in St. Louis
March 11 | 7:30 - 9:30 am
The St. Louis Green Business Challenge is entering it's 11th year of delivering "triple-bottom" line results to businesses of
all types and sizes across the St. Louis region. The program works for building owners and tenants, supporting companies new to the concept of sustainable business operations and those already engaged and ready to fully integrate sustainable options.
According to the 2019 St. Louis Green Business Challenge - Accomplishments and Innovations report 100% of Challenge companies have formed a Green Team to lead sustainability efforts, 100% have implemented and/or continue to add Energy Efficiency measures, 80% actively promote site-based Biodiversity and employee connection to nature, 59% offer services promoting Wellness for individuals and the working environment, and 20% are Benchmarking Energy Usage to inform efficiency and emission reduction strategies.
As the US Green Building Council - Missouri Gateway Chapter, we are trying to increase the 20% participation last year in Benchmarking to 50% in 2020. Will you join us in volunteering to assist building owners benchmark their way to savings? Benchmarking is the first step in determining how to reduce operating costs, conserve resources, and reduce environmental impacts. Participating with the Green Business Challenge provides the opportunity to enhance engagement in our Better Buildings Through Benchmarking Campaign.
The deadline to register as a participant in the Green Business Challenge is March 31st, 2020. Is your company, municipality, or non-profit ready to make sustainability a priority? Join us next Wednesday, March 11th for the Kickoff Seminar including: a B-to-B Resource Fair, featuring sustainable product and service offerings from 25 fellow Challenge companies, another opportunity to hear Amy Aussieker, the Executive Director of Envision Charlotte (NC) present on the "Circular Economy", examples of transferable what-how-why by 2019 Challenge participants, and of course networking with morning refreshments!
WHEN
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
7:30 - 9:30 am
WHERE
Commerce Bank Center for Science Education (CBEC)
4651 Shaw Ave
St. Louis, MO 63114
FREE but registration is required.
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March 05, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join a variety of green industry people to discuss the relevant topics of equity, inclusion, and diversity. The goal of the conference is to inform the audience about social justice concepts with engaging speakers and a panel discussion - providing a safe space for a diverse group of people to learn and discuss -
How do I take what I learned today and implement it tomorrow, in my sphere of influence?
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March 06, 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
LEED and Human Health. Login online to receive 1 hour LEED specific BD+C, ID+C, LEED Green Associate, and 1 AIA LU credit. Every LEED project protects and improves the health of people across the globe via macro level strategies AND the health of occupants in the project via building level strategies. This session features key excerpts from a session at Greenbuild 2018.
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March 10, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
The city of Charlotte, NC in partnership with Envision Charlotte, has made the commitment to transition to a Circular Economy. Learn about a study of the city's waste stream and resulting plan that Charlotte is implementing, including short and long-term strategies, community participation, and benefits.
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March 11, 7:30 am - 9:30 am
With its scorecard of strategies, seminars, tours and networking events, the Green Business Challenge helps each company advance their sustainable business practices in accord with their unique goals and culture.
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March 19, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Attendees will receive hands-on help to benchmark their energy and water use in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and report data to the City of St. Louis.
Looking to volunteer? Contact
[email protected]
to assist building representatives benchmark their energy and water use!
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March 21, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter
Higher Education & Emerging Professionals
to help the North Newstead Association prepare some of their community garden beds for the spring!
**We are in need of a chainsaw**
If you or someone you know has a chainsaw we can borrow for the morning please contact
[email protected]
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Benchmarking & Energy Efficiency Carousel
March 25, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Join us for an interactive event providing real details on how to save energy in buildings. Participants will circulate between quick presentations, gaining insight into numerous energy efficiency projects and financing solutions. Hear Joe Abernathy of the St. Louis Cardinals speak on "Keeping Score: An Owner's Perspective on Energy Benchmarking".
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April 03, 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
LEED Residential - The Evolution Towards Higher Performing Homes. Login online to earn 1.0 hour LEED specific for BD+C, Homes, the LEED Green Associate, and 1 AIA LU credit.
This session looks at "Why LEED for your Home" and provides an overview of the new LEED v4.1 Residential offerings from USGBC - single family homes to multifamily buildings to individual units.
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Benchmarking & Energy Efficiency Training
March 25 | 8:00 - 10:00 am
Join the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter and the City of St. Louis for an interactive event providing real details on how to save energy in buildings. Participants will circulate between quick presentations, gaining insight into numerous energy efficiency projects and financing solutions.
Presentations will include:
- Keeping Score: An Owner's Perspective on Energy Benchmarking- Joe Abernathy, St. Louis Cardinals, Vice President, Facility Planning and Engineering
- Spire Energy Efficiency Rebates - Belmin Salihovic & Chris Wright, Spire Energy Efficiency Program
- Ameren Missouri BizSavers Energy Efficiency Incentives - Jim Travis, Ameren Missouri Bizsavers Program
- Getting the Most out of Building Automation Systems- Chris Ruth, Automation Production Manager, Integrated Facility Services
- Introducing . . . St. Louis Commercial Solar Group Buy-Andrew Linhares, Regional Director & Senior Counsel, Renew MO
- Energy Efficient Tax Deductions & Credits- Teri Samples, Partner and Director of Real Estate Services, Mueller Prost
WHEN
Wednesday, March 25, 8:00 - 10:00 am
WHERE
Missouri Botanical Garden's Commerce Bank Center for Science Education, at the Northeast Corner of Shaw & Kingshighway across from O'Connell's Pub, 4651 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
FREE but registration is requested.
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USGBC
IMPACT 2020, Ed Begley Jr. to Keynote!
May 5-6 | Saint Paul, MN
"We have the technology and know-how to make our buildings work with us, and I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with the green building community," says actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. about the IMPACT 2020 Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota May 5-6th where he will be the keynote speaker. This IMPACT Conference draws hundreds of building professionals, features the latest updates for
LEED
, green business programs, new technology platforms like
Arc
, and provides robust educational sessions and networking opportunities. If you're in the industry of #greenbuilding or just sparking interest in the field this is a conference you
don't
want to miss!
Women in Green: Stand Up SHEROES!
remind us that each of us is a person of great influence. Standing up for what we believe in, standing up for others, standing up for speaking our minds, and standing up for paving the way for future generations of strong women, will you stand up this IMPACT 2020?
Get exposure to over 350 of the Midwest's green building professionals, including engineers, architects, interior designers, corporate real estate, construction, LEED professionals and corporate sustainability professionals from a variety of industries.
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ILFI
May 5-8 | Seattle, WA
A compelling, hopeful vision for the future is what the
International Living Future Institute was founded on. Join the
Living Future 20
unConference this May 5-8th in Seattle, Washington and share what sustains your hope for our future. Experience the game-changing platform for the green building movement's most innovative leaders, YOU! Come together to ideate and exchange expertise at this year's LF20 Sustaining Hope Within Crisis.
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Have great ideas? Looking for a time and a place to share with others?
BECOME A SPEAKER!
We are seeking professionals, or young business owners with insight into sustainability - whatever that may mean to you! Share your knowledge and expertise. The green community needs you to
speak up
and communicate your successes and challenges with sustainability, where we are now, and the hope or plan for the future.
CONTACT [email protected]
with your presentation title and a short description of the topic, then let's discuss dates to get your voice heard. Thank you in advance.
Have an organization in need of insight into sustainability or a needed Lunch n' Learn at your office? We are developing our Speaker's Bureau and would love to come to you and present!
Some upcoming Speaker's Bureau topics include:
- "Energy Efficiency and Schools"
- "Latest in Third Party Certification"
- "Living Standards"
- "10 Ways to Save Energy at Home"
- "Greening Your Business"
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March 5
March 20
March 21
March 24
March 24-25
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March 28
March 29
Healthy Planet Spring Expo
March 31-April 2
March 31
April 4
April 16
April 24
May 01
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Welcome New Members
Laura Vrabel, SCI Engineering, Inc.
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Thanks to our Renewing Members
March 2020
Nicole Adewale, ABNA Engineering
Colleen Autry
, DJM Ecological Services, Inc.
Lacy Cagle, Ecochallenge.org
Stan Clark, Advanced Green Consulting LLC
Bo
Cooper
, Alberici
Geoffrey Crowley
, VERVE Design Studio
Eric Eggers
, BSI Constructors
Mathew Emden, Energy Resources Group
Deborah Frank
, DJMFrank
Linda Goldstein
, Linda Goldstein Consulting
Kevin Griesemer
, G&W Engineering Corporation
Heather Grove, KWK Architects
Cassandra Hage
, Washington University in Saint Louis
Drew Hane
, Stormwater Pro-tect STL
CONTRIBUTOR
Jessie Hoagland
, Green Spiral Tours
Chris Kerckhoff
, EDM Incorporated
David Keusenkothen, Herman Miller
Barbara Kinsella
, Joe Kinsella & Son, Inc.
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Tom Kinsella
, Joe Kinsella & Son, Inc.
Jen Kissinger
, Navigate Building Solutions
Grant Lanhma
, Alberici
Scott Menkes
, Alberici
Tim Michels
, Energy Resources Group
CONTRIBUTOR
Angela Moore
, Missouri Historical Society
Steven Mueller, Chiodini Architects
Roxanne Nagel
, Roof Top Sedums LLC
Colin Rohlfing
, HDR Inc.
Evin Russell
, PARIC Corporation
Jill Schumaier
, NewGround
Linda Tatum
, Roof Top Sedums LLC
Railesha Tiwari
, Washington University in Saint Louis
Jamie Toon
, SIBA University/Resource St. Louis
Phil Valko
, Washington University in Saint Louis
Chris Walker
, Guarantee Electrical Company
Terry Winkelmann, Sustainable Backyard Network
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THANKS TO OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS |
Thanks to our New & Renewing Annual Sponsors!
BSI Constructors - renewing SILVER
Cannon Design - renewing GOLD
Enterprise Holdings - renewing SILVER
HM Risk - renewing SILVER
SM Wilson - renewing GREEN
St. Louis County Department of Health - renewing Green Schools CHAMPION
WSP - renewing SILVER
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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 - Misssouri Gateway Chapter 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 Sponsorship includes numerous benefits - from complimentary Chapter memberships and monthly program passes to exposure on the Chapter website, e-news and at events.
Learn about Sponsorship Opportunities!
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GREEN SCHOOL CHAMPIONS
GREEN SCHOOLS SUPPORTERS
Innovative Technology Education Fund
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THE GREEN SCHOOLS QUEST is also
also supported in part by the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
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Cushman & Wakefield
Custom Engineering
DJM Ecological
Dynamic Controls, Inc.
ECO Recycling
Guarantee Electrical Company
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HDR
Johnson Controls
Mackey Mitchell Architects
Metro Lighting
Missouri American Water
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Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562
Rosemann and Associates
Villa Lighting
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Advanced Green Consulting
ASSA ABLOY
Azimuth Energy
Ittner Architects
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Hastings + Chivetta
Integrated Facility Services
PayneCrest Electric
Schaeffer Marketing Group
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Siemens
S.M. Wilson
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To initiate, develop and accelerate the implementation of green building concepts, technologies and principles that promote environmentally responsible, prosperous and healthy places to live, work, and learn.
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