Chapter membership provides excellent networking opportunities; appearance in the online membership directory; the chance to serve on committees and help shape our region’s future green efforts; and members-only discounts on the many educational events (including Branch meetings) that are hosted by the Chapter. For more information, please contact Lee Cooke orclick here to Join!
Our next Branch meeting: Thursday, April 15 Topic: "Rainwater Harvesting" IRSC Vero Campus, Mueller Auditorium 6155 College Lane, Vero Beach, FL Attendance is free to all Chapter members; and $10 for guests. Space is limited so click here to Register!
Many Thanks to our Donors Circle!
Our Branch would like to thank our Donors Circle Members for their continued support of the USGBC South Florida Chapter. Each one of our Platinum, Gold, Silver and Green Donors has stepped up and offered extraordinary charitable support for our nonprofit organization. Our Platinum Sponsorsare featured below and you can learn more about all our Donors Circle Members by visiting www.usgbcsf.org/donorscircle.
Shared Interests... Proud Partnerships
The USGBC South Florida Chapter is proud of the collaborative relationships we have with various "industry" associations and organizations. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the organization noted below, formally acknowledging a convergence of will, a common line of action, and shared viewpoints. Please learn more about this outstanding organization by clicking on the link below. If your organization shares our viewpoints and wishes to enter into an MOU agreement, please contact our Executive Director, Lee Cooke.
Monthly Membership Meeting
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2010 RAINWATER HARVESTING Mueller Auditorium @ Indian River State College, Vero Beach, FL
5:30 – 6:00 pm: New Member Orientation
6:00 – 6:30 pm: Social Networking
6:30 – 8:00 pm: Meeting and Topic Discussion
Over the last century, impervious surfaces such as concrete, asphalt and roofing materials have been diverting natural rainwater absorption from developed areas, which has resulted in depletion of our local underground aquifers. By capturing as much rainfall as possible from buildings and structures, we can use that water to irrigate landscaping during dry times and prevent erosion during times of high precipitation. By using rainwater for washing laundry, flushing toilets and pressure-washing houses and vehicles, we can further contribute to water conservation by limiting the use of drinking water and reducing the energy used to pump that water from the municipal supply. The combination of these effects can greatly contribute to the conservation of our most precious natural resource -- water.
Sponsored By:
Please join us for an overview of the practice, current tecnologies, and relevant issues associated with rainwater harvesting in commercial and residential markets.
Guest Speaker:
Russ Jackson of Rain Harvest Systems installed his first rainwater harvesting system in 2000 at a primary school in Cross Keys, Jamaica. After working in Jamaica, Russ opened his own rainwater harvesting installation firm in Decatur, GA. Russ is now Director of Sales at Rain Harvest Systems. Russ is a LEED AP, ARCSA AP, and holds a BS in Industrial Design and a MS in Building Construction from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Admission is free to USGBC Chapter members / $10 for guests
This is a NEW MEETING LOCATION for all of our Treasure Coast Members, so please register early. Just...click here!
More Upcoming Events
Saturday, April 17, 2010 - City of West Palm Beach e4 Sustainability Summit - Cohen Pavilion, Kravis Center, WPB - click here to learn more.
Thursday, May 20, 2010 - Topic: LEED for Retail Case Study of Pizza Fusion - 10160 Forest Hill Blvd, Wellington - click here to register.
Tues-Wed, May 25-26, 2010 - Florida Green Energy and Climate Conference - Palm Beach Convention Center, WPB - click here to learn more.
Thursday, June 17, 2010 - Topic: Low Impact Development (LID) - PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens - click here to register.
March 18 Meeting Recap: Localecopia -- Local and Sustainable Food Sources
Last month's Branch meeting was a big hit with our members. Not only were we down south this month at the FDEP Green Lodging awarded Boca Wyndham Hotel, but the focus was local foods and how to choose more sustainable foods for businesses and at home.
Rick Hawkins and Geoffrey Sagrans, co-founders of Localecopia in 2007 and employees at the Breakers, began the evening’s presentation by making a strong case for buying local food, including reducing pollution and energy used to transport, store and refrigerate food. We learned about the stronghold genetically modified food backing companies are gaining over our naturally producing family farmers and how choosing big business farm produce helps put local farmers out of business and creates a demand for less healthy foods. We learned that when all other factors are equal, choosing local food for your business and at home is good for the planet, your health and the local economy.
The entire panel of speakers talked about the great work being done by Localecopia, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing together businesses, producers, educators and government organizations for the purpose lessening our carbon footprint by supporting local product consumption, helping operations better utilize waste and bringing together individuals to help achieve sustainable business practices. And we heard from two members of Localecopia, Nancy Roe a row crop farmer from Farming Systems Research, and Trish Strawn a beef and lamb cattle rancher from the family run Deep Creek Ranch. Nancy and Trish brought a down-home understanding and perspective to the way food is grown and raised here in Florida, as well as providing attendees with some of the options available to consumers and how we can help create a demand for locally grown, healthier and better tasting foods.
We also took a few minutes during the meeting to present awards to our two former Branch Chairs, Kyle Abney and Robert Cannellos, to thank them for their tireless work, countless hours, and passionate efforts to get the TCPB Branch started and poised for steady growth over the next several years. Pictured below are Kyle, Missy Tancredi, John Szerdi and Robert (left-to-right).
We also want to send a big thanks to Boca Wyndham Hotel for supplying the meeting room, and to the Green Earth Environmental Education Foundation, producers of Radio Green Earth, for sponsoring the food.
USGBC South Florida Chapter Members Discuss Sustainability Issues with State Legislators in Tallahassee
On March 8-9. representatives from our Chapter joined other USGBC Florida Chapters to meet with Florida Legislators and committee staff for a review of the positive implications of the State Energy Management Plan (SEMP) and the Florida Life Cycle Cost Analysis Program. Visitors in Tallahassee included three representatives from the USGBC South Florida Chapter: Robert Cannellos, Vice-President and Chair of Advocacy; J Beattie, former Board member and Chair of the USGBC Florida-Caribbean Regional Council; and Lee Cooke, Executive Director.
The Florida Life Cycle Cost Analysis Program requires State agencies to make informed value-based decisions regarding the true taxpayer cost of owning and operating State-funded facilities. The SEMP establishes a comprehensive program that includes measuring and reporting real-time energy consumption of state buildings.
"After our meetings with the Legislators, we are optimistic that adequate training will be given to and performance will be demanded of the Energy Management Coordinators so that this Plan can be effectively managed and implemented," stated Cannellos. "Legislators with whom we met were very receptive to our visit, and we emphasized that members of the USGBC Chapters from across the State are available to assist Florida’s Legislators, State of Florida employees and the public in understanding the benefits and impacts of this outstanding plan."
In addition to individual member visits to dozens of Legislators, on the afternoon of March 9 the USGBC hosted a green-building education session for elected officials and their aides. In addition to learning particulars about the USGBC, Legislators took to the opportunity to update attendees about the state of green-building legislation in Florida. Representatives Adam Hasner (District 87 and Majority Leader), Mary Brandenburg (District 89), Steven Precourt (District 41), and Alan Williams (District 8) emphasized the need for innovative financing mechanisms and pointed to the upcoming EnergyStar rebate program and the Property Assessment Clean Energy (PACE) Bond program as examples. Representative Debbie Mayfield (District 80) and Darren Fancher (Department of Management Services) also participated in the session.
Call for Green Young Professionals!!
Looking to meet young professionals with an interest in sustainable design? Would you like to learn more about how you can help make your local community more sustainable? Join our Emerging Professionals Committee today! Please contact our Committee Chair, Giancarlo Mangone to learn how to get involved. To learn more about this energized component of the Chapter, visit www.usgbc.org/ep.
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