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, March 18 Topic: "Locally Grown Sustainable Food Sources" Wyndham Garden Hotel 1950 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL Attendance is free to all Chapter members; and $10 for guests. Space is limited so click here to Register!
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.
Buying local is a good move for reducing pollution and the energy used to transport, store and refrigerate food. Consider that most of the 270 million pounds of imported grapes that arrive in California every year have traveled 5,900 miles from Chile. Throughout the course of the year, the cargo ships and trucks that transport them release 7,000 tons of global warming pollution into the air. When all other factors are equal, choosing local food for your business and home is good for the planet, good for your health and good for the local economy.
This month's meeting features Localecopia, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing together businesses, producers, educators and government organizations for the purpose of lessening our carbon footprint by supporting local product consumption, helping operations better utilize waste and bringing together individuals to help achieve sustainable business practices.
Panel of Guest Speakers:
Rick Hawkins, Director of Materials Management at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach and co-founder of Localecopia.
Geoffrey M. Sagrans, CPM, CFBE, FMP, MCFE was a co-founder of Localecopia in 2007 and currently serves as the President and Chairman. He is a 21-year veretan of the hospitality industry. While working at The Breakers, he became a Certified Purchasing Manager, Certified Food and Beverage Manager, Foodservice Management Professional and a Master Certified Foodservice Executive.
Nancy Roe is originally from western Pennsylvania, but has lived and farmed in several areas. She has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Horticulture from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. in Vegetable Crops from the University of Florida. She has worked for Texas A&M University and for greenhouse vegetable operations in Texas and Arizona. For 10 years, she and her husband have owned Farming Systems Research, which raises vegetables for sale through a 400 member CSA and to local restaurants, and conducts research in sustainable agriculture.
Trish Strawn is from the family-run Deep Creek Ranch, which produces and sells superior beef and lamb only in Florida. They believe local food should be locally consumed. No added hormones or antibiotics and humane handling at all times. They use organic methods, provide healthy environments freely accessed by their herds, and their beef is entirely forage fed. The lamb is free range, grain supplemented.
Directions: I-95 to Glades Road, (Exit 45) West on Glades Road.
Hotel is located two blocks on left.
Admission is free to USGBC Chapter members / $10 for guests
This is a NEW MEETING LOCATION for all our South Palm Beach County Members, so please register early. Just...click here!
More Upcoming Branch Meetings
Thursday, April 15, 2010 - Topic: Rainwater Harvesting - Indian River State College - Vero Beach Campus - click here to register.
Thursday, May 20, 2010 - Topic: LEED for Retail Case Study of Pizza Fusion - 10160 Forest Hill Blvd, Wellington - click here to register.
Thursday, June 17, 2010 - Topic: GREEN 101 featuring Habitat for Humanity - Indian River State College- Stuart Campus - click here to register.
Palm Beach Gardens Hotel/Meeting Center Earns LEED Silver! CONGRATULATIONS to Palm Beach Garden's own DoubleTree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center for achieving LEED Silver Certification!Please join the USGBC in celebrating this important achievement. The LEED Silver building boasts such features as high efficiency lighting and media components, a pure air system for optimal indoor air quality, furnishings made from recycled materials such as bicycle tires and used seatbelts, cradle-to-cradle designed conference/meeting room chairs, reclaimed wood tables and wall panels, 'health bar' for conference breaks, and interactive touch screen displays of the building's energy performance.
On Friday, March 5, the PBG DoubleTree will unveil their LEED plaque and give a brief tour of the building's green features. The program starts at 2:30pm and space is limited, so click hereto register!
February 18 Meeting Recap: ABC's of Recycling - Construction, Demolition & Post-Consumer Waste
RECYCLING ROCKS!!! Yes, that really is the company slogan for Patrick James Ecycle, LLC of Fort Pierce, our meeting’s sponsor. But it also describes the enthusiasm shared by more than 50 people attending in Fort Pierce on the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition debris. Who knew that diverting waste from landfills could be so cool!?!
Gary Pirtle, President of Pirtle Construction and Chapter Sponsor, started the evening with a review of the highly successful, LEED Gold-Certified Pine Jog Elementary School project. The partnership between FAU and the Palm Beach County School District turned a dilapidated building and under performing 150-acre site into an award-winning model of reusing and recycling resources. For example, out of 868 cubic yards of waste, 737 cubic yards (85%) were reused, recycled and diverted away from landfills.
Mike McClung, President of Patrick James Ecycle, LLC, convinced everyone that “Old rock is better than newly-mined rock!” The lack of landfill sites in South Florida, coupled with the finite nature of rock mining have led to the use of recycled materials in road construction. PJE blends concrete washout and crushed demo concrete to create recycled concrete aggregate, generally used for road base. Their 100% recycled products contribute to pre- and post-consumer LEED points.
Patti Hamilton, VP & Director of Business Development for Southern Waste Systems, also a Chapter Sponsor, surprised the crowd by stating that “40% of the waste stream in Florida is from construction and demolition debris!” In her narrated video presentation, Patti explained the various processes used at the four Sun Recycling facilities that accept and recycle construction waste. According to Patti, and to the crowd’s amazement, 3 million cubic yards of material were processed by Sun in 2008 – but only 400,000 cubic yards made it into a landfill! Yes!
Many thanks to our speakers – not just for their great presentations, but also for their efforts to improve and protect our environment! We also thank Indian River State College for hosting our meeting at their Fort Pierce Campus. Branch Volunteer Appointed as South Florida Chapter Communications Chair The Treasure Coast and Palm Beach Branch Executive Committee proudly announces that our very own Jonathan Burgess of Land Design South has been appointed by our Chapter's Board of Directors as the Communications Chair of the South Florida Chapter of the USGBC. Jonathan has been heavily involved in facilitating our Branch Communications since the early stages of our Branch's formation. Please join us in congratulating Jonathan byclicking hereto send him a personalized message through his online Chapter profile! Thirty-Five PBC School District Employees join the USGBC!
Our Branch welcomes the following employees from the School District of Palm Beach County, all of whom have recently joined as new members of our Chapter!
Program Management: Warren Haan, Jim Cartmill, Angel Garcia, Bob Shaffer, Eileen Lacey, Gene Colson, Glen Armbruster, Mike Kennedy, Phyllis Karp, Richard Avery, Rick Jones, Rob Crews; Facilities Services: Jim Kunard, Fred Cahill, Dan Hughes, Jennifer McKim, Orietta Yanes, Wes Christie, Terrence Bailey, Tim Woodruff; ECO: Christina Crespo, James Chapman, Kesta James, Paul Strauss; Building Department: Tom Hogarth, Victor Chordora, Reza Hosseini, Shams Moghadom, Mark Lodge, Mike Mayall; Project Controls: Ian Esplin, Bob Upson, Aslum Muni; ACL: Steve Fleming; Principal: Dr. Walter Cornnell.
Welcome to our organization and thank you for your support!
USGBC Florida-Caribbean Region to co-host Legislative Day in Tallahassee
The USGBC Florida Legislative Day is the only legislative conference in Florida that focuses exclusively on green building. It offers USGBC Florida and Caribbean Region members the opportunity to promote and defend key issues at the State Capitol. During this forum, you will have a chance to visit the Capitol and meet with your Florida Representatives and Senators. You will gain political allies who will produce legislative results for green building advocates statewide.
The 3rd Annual USGBC Florida Legislative Day is being held on March 9, 2010, from 8am to 5pm. The session is free for all Chapter members and only $50 for non-members (travel arrangements made separately). For more information, pleaseclick here.
