Blogs

1/17 Webinar - "Building a Life of Purpose: The Father of Green Building Shares His Social Entrepreneurship Journey with David Gottfried"

By Kayla Mak posted 2 days ago
Register here. Date: 1/17/25 Time: 1:30pm PST Please join us for an online (Zoom) SMC presentation by sustainability champion and social entrepreneur David Gottfried. David is known as the father of the global green building movement, founding the World Green Building Council, now in over 80 countries. He created LEED building certification, and his bestselling book "Explosion Green" has won multiple awards. This event is sponsored by the Elfenworks Center for Responsible Business.

Businesses: 1/16 Valley Economic Alliance Post-Fire "Livable and Sustainable Communities" meeting on 1/16

By Julie Du Brow posted 2 days ago
For anyone fire-affected or interested, the Valley Economic Alliance's "Livable and Sustainable Communities Meeting" on 1/16 will be in conjunction with AIA SFV, and shift the focus of this meeting to address the anticipated challenges ahead — housing development delays, labor and building material shortages, job losses, the recovery of small businesses, among other considerations . They will also discuss ways to expedite plan reviews, utilities, and fire department approvals to help speed up rebuilding efforts. https://thevalley.networkforgood.com/events/80545-1-16-25-livable-and-sustainable-communities-meeting?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_3785632

Resources for Those Affected by the LA Wildfires

By Kayla Mak posted 6 days ago
As we begin this new year, we want to acknowledge the challenges our community is facing, especially those impacted by the ongoing wildfires. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the public workers and firefighters who continue to protect and serve, and our deepest condolences are with everyone affected. This moment serves as a powerful reminder that our collective work toward sustainability and protecting our planet is more important than ever. Every one of us has been or knows someone who has been affected by climate change, today. Each effort we make contributes to building a safer, more resilient future for all of us. We encourage you to leverage the resources ...

Share Your Thoughts on What Drives Corporate Sustainability Efforts: Survey from CNaught

By Kayla Mak posted 6 days ago
CNaught is conducting a survey to better understand what’s driving corporate sustainability efforts, the challenges companies face, and common practices across industries. The results will help CNaught publish trends, guide companies starting their sustainability journey, and support climate advocates. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Your responses will not be publicly connected to your organization in any way without your additional permission. Access the survey here: https://survey.typeform. com/to/nHa1jGZ1 . Have questions? Reach out to caitlin@cnaught.com

Due 1/7: Applications to the Greenbuild Program Working Group

By Kayla Mak posted 8 days ago
Lend Your Voice to Greenbuild 2025 The Program Working Group (PWG) oversees delivery of educational programming intended to meet the needs of attendees at Greenbuild 2025. Members will review session proposals in all rounds of review for Greenbuild, identify key topic areas, and advise the program composition overall. Members must attend the virtual PWG retreat ( tentatively May 13th & May 14th, 2025 ) to determine the final education programming for Greenbuild 2025. In addition to overseeing the delivery of program content, PWG members will volunteer on-site as round-table hosts and/or session room monitors at ...

Apply to serve on the 2025 Greenbuild Los Angeles Host Committee

By Kim Krempien posted 12 days ago
To all USGBC California members, Apply by Jan. 31 to take part in the 2025 Greenbuild Host Committee and help shape the biggest green building event of the year, here in Los Angeles. USGBC’s Pacific region is thrilled to have the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo   back in Los Angeles from Nov. 4–7, 2025. With the tremendous amount of green activity in the region, we need your support to show off the leadership of our community to thousands of Greenbuild visitors from around the globe. California has ranked in the Top 10 States for LEED for 14 consecutive years. We are excited to collaborate with our aligned community ...

USGBC-CA 20th Annual Green Gala & California Green Building Awards Photos

By Kayla Mak posted 27 days ago
Thank you to our wonderful community for attending USGBC-CA's 20th Annual Green Gala & California Green Building Awards on December 11th! Please enjoy these photos from the Green Gala taken by our very own @Ling Luo . Shoutout to @Surabhi Khanderia and @Pete Marsh who are among the California Green Building Awardees!

Green Homes California Info Session: Delivering Building Decarbonization at Home - Thurs. 11/21 at 4PM (on Zoom)

By Beryl Sinclair posted 11-05-2024
Hello all, I'm Beryl Sinclair, Senior Sustainability Program Manager with USGBC California. Our Green Homes California program is hosting an info session open to all on Thursday, November 21 at 4PM on Zoom, " Delivering Building Decarbonization at Home ." Join us to learn about some of our recent work on electrification and building decarbonization in low-income communities in Los Angeles. Green Homes California drives innovative, market-leading programs in communities on the frontlines of climate change. We engage with building owners, managers, and residents to drive cultural change and education that accelerates the decarbonization of existing single- ...

Santa Monica City Services Building Almost 5 Years Later

By Jay Madden posted 11-05-2024
How does an International Living Future Institute (ILFI)-certified 1 office building perform in real life, with the added challenge of COVID? Amber Richane, the Principal Design and Planning Manager for the City of Santa Monica, answered many of these questions when she hosted a tour for USGBC-Cal’s Living Futures Committee. The Santa Monica City Hall East Building was officially opened on Earth Day 2020, to an empty audience. COVID had sent all but a few essential employees home. The building was occupied by 8 persons for almost two years, before employees began to return to work. This site has now been operating for over 2 years in a hybrid work environment. ...

Invitation to Participate in a Harvard Research Study

By Kayla Mak posted 11-04-2024
Sharing a sustainability research participation opportunity from Alexia: My name is Alexia Freeman and I am a master's student at Harvard University conducting research for my thesis on sustainable behavior change. I am excited to announce a study in collaboration with The Carbonauts aimed at understanding how their “Sustainability Plan” workshop can foster short-term behavior change. This one-hour workshop educates participants on what comprises their carbon footprints and the most impactful areas to reduce their personal greenhouse gas emissions. I am seeking individuals who are willing to complete this workshop on November 21, 2024 from 9-10 ...

USGBC-CA Statewide Trainer Network RFP-Info Session

By Robert Carr posted 10-04-2024
Hello All, Happy Friday! I wanted to follow up my last post regarding the USGBC-CA Statewide Trainer RFP . We have now scheduled an information session on October 21st from 12 noon to 1pm for those interested trainers that have questions about the RFP. Please click here to register for the info session.

October Member Magazine

By Kate McHale posted 10-03-2024
View the October Member Magazine here!

Living Futures Tour of Magic Johnson Recreation Area

By Jay Madden posted 10-02-2024
What if a project could go beyond minimizing its negative effects on our environment, and actually improve it? Last month, landscape architect Gary Lai hosted a tour of Magic Johnson Recreation Area for USGBC-California members and students of Gary’s Cal Poly Pomona landscape architecture course. Formerly a contaminated oil storage and distribution facility, Magic Johnson Park is an oasis in the middle of the underserved Willowbrook area of Los Angeles. I believe the most exceptional aspect of this park is that it cleans polluted urban run-off water. This water then feeds two lakes, which are home to 300 species of migratory birds. The clean water then irrigates ...

Green Schools Volunteer Day for CA Native Pollinator Garden

By Elizabeth Christy posted 09-19-2024
Join us this Saturday 9/21 from 9am-1pm at Dorris Place Elementary School! Dorris Place Elementary was the recipient of our Green Schools Mini Grant for 2024 for their California Native Pollinator Garden. Street Parking: 2225 Dorris Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90031 Email Shannon Scrofano to RSVP: sscrofano@gmail.com Bring gloves and a shovel if you are able! Make sure to wear a hat/sunscreen!

Survey: Adaptive Reuse and the International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

By Kayla Mak posted 09-17-2024
Survey link Survey Details: In urban areas around the country there is growing interest in converting commercial buildings to residential use. This is due to the confluence of high vacancy rates in commercial buildings and a urgent need for more housing nationwide. The International Existing Building Code is designed to be used for such adaptive reuse projects. In response to the rising interest in commercial housing projects, the ICC formed an Adaptive Reuse Working Group in June 2024. It is currently considering how the IEBC might be modified, expanded or interpreted to better support office to housing projects. This survey is intended to provide ...

USGBC-CA Statewide Trainer Network RFP

By Robert Carr posted 09-16-2024
Hello All, The U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA) is excited to launch our Statewide Trainer Network to expand our network of trainers and curriculum experts across California. The Statewide Trainer Network will help us deliver our current portfolio of training courses and develop new training in areas of high demand for the green building sector. We invite you or members of your training organization to submit an application to join the network. We are also looking to build statewide capacity by identifying regional training centers in California. If you have access to a training facility or meeting space for in-person training, ...

Accepting Applications for our USGBC-CA Statewide Trainer Network

By Kayla Mak posted 09-16-2024
Building a Statewide Trainer Network to Accelerate Building Decarbonization in California A Request for Proposal for Sustainability, Green Building, and Climate Resilience Education and Training U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA), founded in 2002, has extensive experience in providing sustainability program management, environmental education and training, community engagement, and project management through our dedicated team and the knowledge of our 3,000 plus members. USGBC-CA’s mission is to transform California through the built environment into a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable place for all. We accomplish this through leading, ...

I-REN AC/HP Refrigeration Module, Módulo de Refrigeración de AC / HP (Virtual)

By Elizabeth Christy posted 09-13-2024
The newly formed I-REN or Inland Regional Energy Network is offering upcoming virtual training in Spanish! Four virtual classes in the evening from 6-8pm starting on September 23rd. Please see the attached flier for registration: Sept. 23 / I-REN AC / HP Refrigeration Module, Módulo de Refrigeración de AC / HP (Virtual) La recién formada I-REN o Red Regional de Energía Interior ofrecerá próximamente capacitación virtual en Español. Cuatro clases virtuales por la tarde de 6 a 8 p. m. a partir del 23 de septiembre. Consulte el folleto adjunto para registrarse: Sept. 23 / I-REN AC / HP Refrigeration Module, Módulo de Refrigeración de AC / ...

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE NEXT FRIDAY

By Kayla Mak posted 08-30-2024
We are one week out from the Committee Leadership Applications deadline. Click here to learn more and apply! We look forward to receiving your application.

Training, Workforce Development and the Career Center

By Elizabeth Christy posted 08-29-2024
Hello my name is Elizabeth Christy and I am the Education Programs Manager here at USGBC California. I work for both the Training and Programs team as they often have a lot of overlap. The Training team provides professional development, access to green career pathways, continuing education credits and access to the latest green technology, data and information. Some exciting new things we are rolling out this fall include: The Learning Center launched for our Wildfire Defense Training to deliver courses online. Soon all our Professional development courses will be delivered through the Learning Center. Request For Proposal or RFP, for statewide ...