EcoBuild 2011 and Happy Holidays!

Once again early December brought me to Washington DC for the EcoBuild Conference.  This year I teamed up with Nadja Turek, PE and LEED AP, to present what might have been the session with the longest title (Leveraging Geospatial Information for Sustainable Solutions at the Ecosystem, Campus and Community Scales).  We also covered a lot of ground from very big picture to the very detailed stressing the importance of gathering quantitative data and qualitative testimonials in order to influence people’s decisions and actions to live sustainably and responsibly.  Our closing slide was: 

Live like it matters. Live like what you do has an impact – it does matter to all of the other living organisms on this planet, Earth.

There were many good discussions and presentations but one in particular has had me thinking about “what’s possible”.  It was about the Net Zero Energy building at NREL.  Take a look —http://www.bdcnetwork.com/2011-zero-and-net-zero-energy-buildings-homes.  Very Interesting!

With that, Best Wishes to You and Yours for a Happy Holiday Season and let us make 2012 a Prosperous, Green, Sustainable Year! 

~ The Thumbprint Endeavors Team

GreenBuild 2011

GreenBuild 2011!

At Thumbprint Endeavors LLC, we continue to learn about and educate others about the economics in efficient green buildings and sustainability.  We also develop plans for building occupants to incorporate Green Living Strategies into their daily lives.   I’ve just returned (no thanks to the debacle at Toronto Airport) from 2011 GreenBuild Conference.  Attendance was up, exhibits and presentations were top notch and the conference was very well organized.  I especially enjoyed the sessions on building sustainable communities and Kudos to the Green Schools group for a relaxing and informative space, well done. 

Thomas Friedman’s remarks, in his keynote speech, were to the point and well worth a listen if you could not heard him in the arena or if you just want to know how 1979 was such an incredible turning point in U.S. history and how those decisions and others are still impacting us today. 

While waiting for hours at the airport, I had many conversations but the one summed up much of the overall take away that captured the mood of the conference.  While the Green Building community is trying to keep our footing, it is easy to become discouraged as we look at all of the economic indicators.  Instead Ian McKee with EcoArenas commented that we should not get down or give in, rather we need to envision what is possible.  Our focus needs to be the best outcome for the future of the planet and her inhabitants.  While much has been accomplished, there is still so much to be done building-wise and people-wise.  So, for me and for Thumbprint Endeavors, it is this continuing collective wave of sustainability and Green Building, gathering strength and washing over the Earth as we engage and build community.  Seriously, what other alternative do we have if we believe in a future for our children, our country, our planet?

I am really looking to attending the AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education conference in Pittsburgh PA next week. Here’s hoping traveling will be smoother and that the conference will be informative and a good networking opportunity.

Summer 2011 is So Busy!

Summer 2011 is so busy for us at Thumbprint Endeavors! 

Linda attended the regional USGBC conference, Greening The Heartland in Cincinnati in mid-June.  The Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Public Schools and more organizations presented about their Green Building efforts.  The City of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati outlined their programs to implement sustainability programs. What a great opportunity to hear some informative sessions and to meet great folks who are all about Green and Sustainability in the Cincinnati area!

Barret has continued working with Rebuild Together Metro Denver as a Skills Captain, which means mentoring and helping supervise and coordinate volunteer green building efforts.  The Denver USGBC Emerging Professionals group, that Barret is an active member of, supports Habitat for Humanity and projects like The Grow Haus.  Thumbprint Endeavors LLC does too!

In July, Linda attended the International ESRI conference in San Diego.  This conference brings over 15,000 people from all over the world and all kinds of businesses and conservation organizations to display the most recent GIS data that has been collected and the latest innovations out there.  The Map Gallery is just incredible so be sure to look at that online. It was a terrific learning opportunity and a chance to talk with so many of us who are using GIS tools to make informed, intelligent decisions about our built and natural environment. 

These were all great networking opportunity for us at Thumbprint Endeavors!

A very busy Summer for Thumbprint Endeavors!

Here's what's going on with TE . . . 

Barret has working with Rebuild Together Metro Denver as a Skills Captain, which means mentoring and helping supervise and coordinate volunteer green building efforts.  The Denver USGBC Emerging Professionals group that Barret is an active member of supports Habitat for Humanity and projects like The Grow Haus.  Thumbprint Endeavors LLC does too!

This week is the Greening The Heartland in Cincinnati and Linda will be attending this regional USGBC conference.  This is a great opportunity to learn what is being done, what is possible and who is doing the Green in our communities, schools, healthcare facilities and in our built environment.  Just look for the Thumbprint Endeavors logo on our shirts and let's talk.

Speaking of GTH, One presentation that I want to hear is about the Architectural Reuse Company.  James Kent II, a partner in the group, said that this Dayton company was recently recognized as a national leader in Deconstruction and Reclaiming materials from buildings that are slated for demolition.  Deconstruction of these sometimes decade-old structures, creates jobs and the recycled building materials are then resold by St. Vincent de Paul Deconstruction Depot.  That is a great illustration of a smart, common sense Green (un)building projects!  Paving the way economically and legislatively for reuse of existing materials makes complete “cradle to cradle” sense.

Here’s another example of what Thumbprint Endeavors can do to save energy and cut costs.  On a recent trip to Norway, Germany and Poland, of course, we were taking in everything Green and sustainable — like energy conservation measures and thinking how to help companies and organizations be more sustainable.

Seeing how other countries and cultures regard the environment and how they regard resources in their daily living is eye-opening.  What you see certainly makes you more aware of what is feasible and what is possible.  Smart room keys that serve as the master switch for the lighting and hvac in the room.  Key in, energy in the room is on, occupant takes key out, leaves the room, energy shuts down.  Many hotel chains are working toward being more green but some solutions seem obvious— perhaps fewer big screen tv’s could pay for this smarter technology? Even this one simple example raises the question – why are we not incorporating more of and these common sense cost-saving innovations in the U.S.? Contact us by phone or email so TE can assist with a workspace audit then work with your organization or hotel to implement the needed energy-saving measures and train your staff to enact sustainable behaviors. 

In July, Barret will be continuing his work with Rebuilding Together Metro Denver and Linda will be attending the International ESRI conference in San Diego.  What a great way to learn even more about how GIS and informed, intelligent data can give us a visual decision-making tool.  More great service and networking opportunities for us at Thumbprint Endeavors!

Earth Day must be Every Day

This idea can’t be stated too strongly.  All one has to do is see some of the videos like the ones I showed for Earth Day events to see that we absolutely need to get serious about taking more responsibility for conserving the Earth and its resources.  All we need to do is take a look at Tapped or Trashed, Gasland (PBS on the topic) or Greening the Federal Government to see the challenges and some solutions for the water, resource and energy issues that face us now.  We just cannot leave this for some future time to start reducing our consumption and wastefulness. 

This is not a radical idea.  Just look back a couple of generations and you will see that until the end of WWII, Americans had a very conservative ethic that served us well.  We were certainly not perfect, but we understood how to support local communities and reuse until something was worn out.  Then consumerism, fashion, planned obsolescence and shopping took over as advertising overtook our clearer-thinking minds.  Take a look at the story of stuff to get a good look and rethink where we are and where we are going vs. what we need to be about.

There are some very bright spots on the horizon like corporate leaders who are truly embracing sustainability and Green.  Ray Anderson with Interface carpet is one of those businessmen.  Marketing strategies tell us that peer pressure is the key here be that “they’re recycling, so it must be ok” or “he’s not going to be more Green than I am” and so on.  We just need to be sure we are getting the word out there and equally important, influence others to join us in Greening our buildings and workplace, including our behaviors.  That’s where Thumbprint Endeavors can help!

Speaking of Thumbprint Endeavors —where we have been and what we have been about . . .

For Barret, last week focused on the CO USGBC Rocky Mountain Green 2011 April 20-21 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center.  On Wednesday, he participated in the Indoor Air Quality track and on Thursday, he was the Innovations Track Manager.  This conference and the many Denver Metro USGBC group’s events are informative and help Barret to stay current on Green Building practices and products as well as providing great networking opportunities.  

The last couple of weeks have been very busy for Linda. She presented a session on LEED at the TMA Users Conference in mid-April in Tulsa OK, with good reviews and follow-up discussions.  She was also been busy planning and delivering Earth Day 2011 events.  April 21st was the Symposium on Sustainability in Health Care hosted by Wright State University and Heapy Engineering.  This was a great opportunity to hear speakers, like Gail Vittori, Co-Director, Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, James Moler, PE with Turner Construction and Erik Andersen, AIA with HOK, Inc., share their experiences and ideas on green building in Healthcare.  This was follow-on event to Robin Guenther's talk in October 2010.

Be sure to say Hello and talk awhile when you see Barret in Denver or Linda at the Dayton Green Drinks.  Green Drinks is now an international happening with events in just about every city.  These are great casual networking events for those of us in Green-related organizations and the informal presentations where Green Ideas are informative and springboards for great discussions.  Check it out, stop by and say Hi!

Perhaps it is Earth Day Approaching in April

Perhaps it is Spring arriving in a few days after a long winter but our ringing phones and full email inboxes are as welcome as daffodils at Thumbprint Endeavors!

Upcoming Places You’ll See Us!

Barret has become a regular at the First Monday events hosted by the Denver Metro USGBC at the downtown REI store. These presentations are informative and help him stay current on Green Building. They are great networking opportunities.  He will also be attending and helping out with the CO USGBC Rocky Mountain Green 2011 April 20-21 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center.

Linda will be very busy for the next few weeks with planning for Earth Day 2011 events and the Symposium on Sustainability in Health Care April 21st hosted by Wright State University, SOCHE and Heapy Engineering. She will also be presenting on LEED at the TMA Users Conference in mid-April in Tulsa OK. And on April 16th, Linda will be presenting on the Ohio Leave No Child Inside Collaboratives at the Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) conference at Maumee Bay State Park on the shores of Lake Erie.

Some Food for Green Thought as Another Spring Arrives

As we hear the devastating natural disasters and the violent weather in the news and we look at the economic and political landscape surrounding us, perhaps it is time to reflect on where we are now.

There is much truth in the expression, “Think Globally, Act Locally”. Whether we are discussing food or building materials, the overall costs of transportation really point to the need to realize the global impacts of our purchases and the need to support our local economy and creating the kinds of sustainable communities that make us all feel we are a part of something worthwhile, that sense of belonging that makes us human. Well-known, rational, smart authors like Bill McKibben, Paul Hawken and Thomas Friedman have spent their literary careers explaining why it is time to really put our shoulder into it and make the needed changes happen.

Recently, another voice brought the message on another level, literally because she lends a female voice and perspective to the discussion, Helena Norberg-Hodge. She and her collaborators have produced two powerful works, “Happiness of Economics” and “Ancient Futures”.

“You are what you eat”, another expression that has been around for a while. Think about it – which would you rather picture yourself as a mass-produced super-sized pattie-melt consumer or a locally-produced healthy, fresh and you-know-where-it-came-from-and-how-it –was-grown consumer? If you haven’t already done so, check out “King Corn” and “Fresh”. They are eye-opening. City Bountiful shares a wealth of information about the ebb and flow of community gardening as well as the more tenacious and stable food production projects in urban environments.

We hope that everyone has can share the joy of gardening and consuming fresh produce from farmer’s markets this summer while supporting local communities.

It is critical that we begin thinking about these things and Acting on them — given that it is all about Green and Sustainable Life Choices!

The Most Recent News and Events with the Thumbprint Endeavors Team

The Most Recent News and Events with the Thumbprint Endeavors Team . . .

By way of an update, both Barret and Linda participated in the ASES National Solar Tour (http://www.ases.org/ ) the first weekend in October 2010. Of course, he was in Denver CO and she was hosting the event at Wright State University to showcase the Solar Thermal Array on that partial heats the water in the Student Union Pool. In both Dayton OH and Denver, the events were well attended and the goal of informing the public about renewable energy sources continues.

Linda attended and presented at two conferences in the October − the Research Symposium at the annual conference of the North American Association for Environmental Education (Buffalo NY) and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (http://www.aashe.org/). Her AASHE session detailing her Spring 2010 community service learning class that involved WSU students in community gardening projects and helped 6th graders in an urban school to learn about tree species and GIS was very well attended and great discussion followed her presentation − always a good sign.

In December 2010, Linda attended the 2010 EcoBuild Conference in D. C. She commented, “I always feel that I benefit from the various presentations and discussions related to sustainability and green building. This year I primarily attended sessions on sustainable community planning and one very informative session about the USGBC Green Schools initiative. The follow up discussions and side conversations were very interesting.”

The Leadership Team Retreat for the Ohio Leave No Child Inside Collaboratives met December 3rd and 4th at The Wilds. Linda is proud to be a part of this small but very dedicated group of individuals from around the state of Ohio who volunteer their expertise, time and energy to spearhead initiatives for the Ohio Leave No Child Inside and in their regions. Ohio LNCI has made tremendous strides forward including dozens of governmental Proclamations pledging to combat sedentary lifestyles by promoting “unplugged” healthier outdoor active play for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics and USGBC’s LEED-Neighborhood Development (which includes elements like parks/green space/play areas within walking distances in safe communities) and the Green Schools Initiatives are working closely with national parent group of LNCI, the Children and Nature Network (http://www.childrenandnature.org).

In her role as Assoc. Dir. Sustainability at Wright State University, Linda has been very active recently in the Campus Master Plan process that is looking forward 50 years to anticipate and envision future needs and land use for campus. Preservation of the WSU Woods and planning smart, sustainable development or reallocation of existing space is of course of great interest to Linda. October 23, 2010, the Office of Sustainability also hosted a reception and very informative presentation by Robin Guenther, FAIA, “Sustainable Health Care Architecture: How health care is responding to ideas about building and health, both nationally and globally”.

One place you will also find Barret is the Denver area USGBC Emerging Green Builders meetings. Be sure to look for us “out there”, like monthly Green Drinks events in Dayton or Denver or contact us − Barret (720-320-2184) or Linda (937-477-8662) ¬− for help with Greening Your Organization.

From the Greening Building to Creation and Implementation of a Green Building User’s Plan – we are here for you!